“Bistirna Parore”A Musical Voyage Across the Brahmaputra Honouring Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s Centenary Anchors At Jogighopa
DD TIMES Jogighopa, 18 September: The mighty Brahmaputra, which for centuries has nurtured the culture and civilisation of Assam, transformed into a living stage of music, memory, and heritage as the centenary celebration of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s birth concluded with a grand cultural finale at the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) Jetty in Jogighopa today.
The unique cultural journey, titled “Bistirna Parore: From Sadiya to Dhubri, a Musical Voyage,” was organised by IWAI under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW). It set out with the ambitious aim of traversing the Brahmaputra from Sadiya—Bhupen Hazarika’s birthplace—to Dhubri, retracing in spirit the path of the river that inspired so much of the bard’s immortal music.
The river voyage began on 8 September 2025 from Guijan in Tinsukia district, coinciding with the 99th birth anniversary of Dr. Hazarika. The inaugural event was marked by traditional performances, renditions of his iconic songs, and a collective tribute from artists, officials, and admirers who gathered to celebrate the legacy of the son of the soil who became the “Voice of the Brahmaputra.”
In the days that followed, the musical flotilla touched several key ghats across Assam. Cultural programmes were held at Guijan Ghat in Tinsukia, Bogibeel Ghat in Dibrugarh, Neamatighat, Tezpur’s Dhewasingh Ghat, and Pandu Port in Guwahati. Each stop was marked by vibrant cultural showcases, folk traditions, and heartfelt tributes to Dr Hazarika’s memory.
Among these, the Guwahati programme graced by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal alongside members of Bhupen Hazarika’s family — son Tej Hazarika, brother Samar Hazarika with his family, and sister-in-law Manisha Hazarika, along with several eminent artistes, writers, and cultural personalities. Their presence lent an intimate, familial warmth to the occasion, turning it into both a public celebration and a deeply personal remembrance of the bard who belongs to every Assamese heart.
The stop at Jogighopa thus carried special significance—it was not just another chapter, but a symbolic assimilation where the Brahmaputra, as sung by Bhupen Hazarika in “Bistirna Parore,” became the bridge between memory and inspiration, past and future.
This evening, the Jogighopa IWAI Jetty came alive with the sounds of Asom Sangeet, marking the start of a vibrant cultural programme. Floral tributes were offered to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, with dignitaries and community leaders paying their respects to the music maestro. IWAI officials felicitated a host of prominent personalities from the fields of the society.
The stage then lit up with folk performances from the Koch Rajbongshi cultural troupe, including Kushan, Hudung, Goalini, and Goalpariya Sangeet. These folk traditions, rooted in the soil of Goalpara and Bongaigaon, echoed the same ethos of community, humanity, and harmony that Dr Bhupen Hazarika carried to the world stage through his music.
In a special video message, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal paid glowing tribute to Dr. Hazarika’s legacy. Sonowal said, “Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was a luminous star of Indian culture whose soulful voice carried the message of unity, humanity, and brotherhood to the world. His timeless creations continue to inspire generations, and this centenary journey across the Brahmaputra is a celebration of his life’s philosophy. From Sadiya to Dhubri, the river that he immortalised in song has carried his legacy forward to new generations. Bhupen da’s songs will continue to flow, like the Brahmaputra itself, eternal and unyielding, inspiring generations to come.”
Sonowal emphasised how Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s creative genius gave voice to the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people, while simultaneously projecting Assam’s rich cultural tapestry onto the global stage.
The highlight of the evening was the performance of Bhupendra Sangeet by celebrated artists Goutam Konwar and Mithun Dhar, who carried forward the timeless melodies that have become part of Assam’s cultural DNA. Their soulful renditions were met with thunderous applause from the large gathering, turning the event into a moment of collective remembrance and pride.
Cultural stalwarts and community figures from Abhayapuri also lent their presence and voices to the programme. Among them were renowned musicians and artists such as Dharani Banikya, Khitish Das, Radhika Mohan Das, Ikramul Islam, Sailesh Choudhary, Dr. Nurul Islam, Kalyan Das, Aehsanul Akhtar, and others. Their participation turned the Jogighopa stop into not just an administrative event but a people’s celebration of Bhupenda’s enduring relevance.
From the political fraternity, attendees included BJP Bongaigaon District President Ujjwal Kanti Rai, Bongaigaon ZPC President Mridula Singha, BJP Assam Pradesh Secretary Monalisha Koch, Vice President Pramila Sarkar, and grassroots leaders including Mandal Presidents Jintu Baruah, Khanindra Kalita, Dipen Mandal, Sanatan Sarkar, and Jitu Banikiya.
The gathering was graced by eminent personalities from across domains. Among them were West Goalpara Co-Deputy Commissioner Nabajeet Pathak, Abhayapuri Co-Deputy Commissioner Shanta Karki, ADC Prasanta Bora, and senior journalist Ashok Roy.
As the programme, there was a palpable sense of pride among the thousands who had gathered. For many, the event was not just a remembrance but a reaffirmation of Bhupen Hazarika’s message—that music and culture can be powerful vehicles of social change, capable of binding communities across divides. By tracing this river journey, the centenary programme not only honoured the past but also sought to inspire the future—ensuring that the bard’s timeless call for unity, humanity, and cultural pride continues to resonate.
