New Assamese Documentary ‘Manuhar Gaan’ Highlights Bhupen Hazarika’s Focus on Social Injustice

A new 82-minute Assamese documentary titled Manuhar Gaan (The Hum of Humanity) explores the musical legacy of the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, focusing specifically on his songs addressing social injustice and historical events. The documentary’s poster and trailer were unveiled in Guwahati ahead of the conclusion of the music maestro’s birth centenary.

What Happened

The poster and trailer for Manuhar Gaan were released in Guwahati on Saturday, August 22, 2026, roughly two weeks before the close of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary year. Singer Manisha Hazarika, who serves as the president of the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Cultural Trust, officiated the release.

Hazarika, widely celebrated as the Bard of Brahmaputra, was born on September 8, 1926, and passed away on November 5, 2011. The documentary was written and directed by filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and produced by Dolly Borpujari, Prabhat Chandra Borpujari, and Abhijit Bhuyan under the banner of 92X26 Films.

According to the makers, the production took eight years to finish, primarily due to funding hurdles encountered during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Major portions of the film were captured in 2018, followed by the recording of remaining segments in 2025 and final editing thereafter.

Key Highlights

• Documentary Focus: Manuhar Gaan (The Hum of Humanity) runs for 82 minutes and examines Hazarika’s socio-political songs alongside historical themes.
• Director’s Perspective: Director Utpal Borpujari stated the project aims to introduce audiences outside Assam and West Bengal to Hazarika’s profound social commitment, noting that listeners nationally often only recognise tracks such as ‘Dil Hoom Hoom Kare’ and ‘Ganga Behti Ho Kyon’.
• Archival Value: The documentary includes appearances from several late figures close to the artist, including author Dilip Kumar Datta, Hazarika’s sister Sudakshina Sarma, his nephew Hrishiraj Sarma, and associates Ratna Ojah and Dilip Hazarika.
• Production Crew: Cinematography was handled by Chida Bora, editing by Diganta Bora alongside the late associate director-editor Bhaskar Jyoti Das, sound design by Debajit Gayan, and poster design by Samudra Kajal Saikia.
• Train Renaming Appeal: Alongside the release, Sanjay Nahar of the Pune-based foundation Sarhad appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to rename the Mumbai-Guwahati Express (15647/15648) as the ‘Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika Express’.

Why This Matters

According to director Utpal Borpujari, Dr. Hazarika’s broader national reputation often overlooks the depth of his social responsibility as an artist. Although Hazarika created works spanning varied themes, Borpujari noted that his dedication to societal issues made him one of India’s most significant cultural figures. Producer Abhijit Bhuyan also highlighted that the unused footage and interviews captured during production will serve an educational purpose for researchers and academics studying Hazarika’s work.

What to Watch Next

Producer Abhijit Bhuyan stated that the production team plans to release unused interview footage on YouTube for researchers and music enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the organisation Sarhad continues to pursue its longstanding appeal—first raised in 2015—with central and state authorities to rename the Mumbai-Guwahati Express during Hazarika’s centenary period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ‘Manuhar Gaan’?

Manuhar Gaan (The Hum of Humanity) is an 82-minute Assamese documentary directed by Utpal Borpujari that analyses the late Bhupen Hazarika’s songs concerning social injustice and historical events.

Why did the documentary take eight years to complete?

The documentary took eight years to finish due to funding challenges faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the filming took place in 2018, with the remaining footage shot in 2025.

What is the proposal regarding the Mumbai-Guwahati Express?

Sanjay Nahar, founder-director of the Pune-based foundation Sarhad, has appealed to government leadership to rename the 15647/15648 Mumbai-Guwahati Express after Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, citing the artist’s historical role as a cultural link between the two cities.

Source: The Hindu