Bhupen Hazarika’s songs on Liberation War to be translated into several Indian and foreign languages

Music maestro late Bhupen Hazarika’s songs on the Liberation War of Bangladesh and other works will soon be translated into all Indian and several foreign languages.

“I had been to Dhaka a few times. I know how popular my father was in Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh have a lot of respect for the jajabor (wanderer),” Tez Hazarika, son of Bhupen Hazarika, told bdnews24.com.

Tez recalled his father’s emotional relationship with Bangladesh.

“I had received the award conferred to my father by the government of Bangladesh for his exemplary works on the Liberation War,” said Tez.

The bard’s songs continue to be the source of inspiration for millions of Bangladeshis.

"Manush manusher jonno (humans are for humanity)" became the second most loved song after Bangladesh’s national anthem, "Amar sonar Bangla (my golden country).”

His song on Bangladesh’s freedom struggle, “Joy joy nabajata Bangladesh (Victory to the newborn Bangladesh)", inspired the mukti joddhas (freedom fighters).

After the death of his father, Tez founded the Bhupen Hazarika Foundation (BHF).

BHF plans to translate Hazarika’s compositions into all Indian languages.

“I want to spread my father’s works across the globe,” said Tez, an independent publisher based in America.

Tez was in New Delhi to attend the legendary singer’s 4th death anniversary.

“So long as the mighty Brahmaputra keeps flowing, Bhupenda’s songs and tunes will reverberate across the valley and will continue to act as a source of inspiration,” said BHF Secretary Dipanka Hazarika.

Echoing the view, Director of the National Book Trust Dr Rita Choudhury said that the music maestro’s works would continue to inspire not only the people of Assam but the entire north-eastern states.

“I spent the golden period of my life at Chowkham, NEFA (Now Arunachal Pradesh). But I heard the maestro’s songs during those days which spread the message of universal brotherhood and unity among all the communities of northeast India,” said Choudhury.