Usha Mangeshkar to receive inaugural Bhupen Hazarika National Award

Usha Mangeshkar, the acclaimed playback singer known for her contributions to Indian cinema, will receive the newly instituted Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award during a ceremony scheduled for November 29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the award, recognizing Mangeshkar's distinguished career in music and entertainment.

The award has been established by the Assam government to honour the legacy of Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary Assamese singer, composer, and filmmaker whose centennial celebrations are underway this year. Hazarika, a cultural icon of Northeast India, left an indelible mark on Indian music and cinema through his prolific body of work spanning several decades.

Mangeshkar's selection as the inaugural recipient underscores her significant impact on Indian popular music. The recognition comes as Assam pays tribute to Hazarika's remarkable artistic contributions and enduring influence on generations of musicians and cultural practitioners across the country.

The ceremony will form part of the broader centenary celebrations being organized to commemorate Hazarika's birth and his far-reaching contributions to Indian culture, music, and cinema.