In a tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will issue a ₹100 commemorative coin on September 13, 2025, to mark the legendary singer and poet’s birth centenary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the coin at a public ceremony in Guwahati, officially launching a series of centenary celebrations.
The event will take place at the Veterinary College Ground in Khanapara with wide public participation expected. Alongside the coin release, the Assam Publication Board will publish a comprehensive biography of Hazarika, which will later be translated into multiple Indian languages. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the work as both scholarly and deeply emotional, capturing the cultural essence of Hazarika’s life and contributions.
The coin launch is part of a year-long observance that began on September 8, 2025, and will conclude on September 8, 2026, with a grand ceremony attended by the President of India. Commemorative programs are also planned in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
Key initiatives include renaming the Bhupen Hazarika Memorial site in Jalukbari as Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha, establishing a dedicated museum at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati to preserve his works and memorabilia, and urging Bihu committees across Assam to dedicate one evening to celebrating his legacy.
Born in 1926, Bhupen Hazarika transcended music to become a social philosopher and cultural reformer. His songs carried messages of justice, unity, and human dignity, blending Assamese folk traditions with universal themes. Posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019, Hazarika remains one of India’s most influential cultural figures.
Officials said the centenary celebrations are aimed at honoring not just his music but also his vision of harmony, linguistic pride, and inclusive cultural identity.
