Sankardeva’s Influence In The Songs Of Bhupen Hazarika

Abstract

Sankardeva (1449-1569), the great spiritual fore-runner of Neo-Vaishnavite movement of
medieval Assam made his all pervasive and pervading influence in every sphere of Assamese
society. He is considered as the father of Assamese nation. His great contribution made in
the field of religion, language, literature, art, play, music, architecture etc. makes the very
foundation of today’s Assamese culture and society. Most of his successors till our days are
indebted to him. The stalwart like Laksminath Bezbaruah, Jyotiprasad Agarwala,
Bishnuprasad Rabha etc. belongs to modern age, were vehemently influenced by his
principle of inclusiveness, adopted by this great vaishnavite saint who made this nation
called Assamese. Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011), being born in a family
background where deep influence of Sankardeva prevailed, became inquisitive to know
about activities and ideologies of this great personality since his childhood. Subsequently,
when he emerged as a lyricist cum singer, influences of ideologies of this great saint got its
reflection in his lyrics. This paper aims at finding out how Bhupen Hazarika treated
Sankardeva and his ideology in his lyrics.