REPORT ON THE CENTENNIAL KICKOFF NYC, NOVEMBER 22nd 2025
Thank you kindly for gracing our Bhupen Hazarika Centennial Celebration with your presence. Undeniably, Assamese culture was in the house — a taste of the rare sub-culture of Northeast India, in real time right next to New York Harbor. Happily, it turned out to be a lively and collaborative gathering inspired by the life and legacy of the Bard of the Brahmaputra, Bhupen Hazarika, as his songs, music and message of universal humanism continue to bring people together across borders.
In the spirit of your voluntary participation on Nov 22nd, we invite you to work with us in creating such participatory events for attendees of all ages and interests. We all witnessed a relaxed atmosphere with voluntary offering to share what we love, a friendly space populated with an open minded and appreciative audience. For 5 hours, we were mentally “bridged” between Manhattan and Tejpur, Assam. Most would agree that discovering and affirming our humanity through sharing our artistry can bring people together across generations.
There were stories, conversations, dances and performances as promised and conversions between people. In hindsight, proof in video recordings soon to be shared publicly, much seems possible and we gratefully accept this opportunity to build on it. In keeping with Bhupen Hazarika’s enduring legacy, it is our intention to sensitize people to our inherent beauty and humanity through the practice and the appreciation of the arts including music, dance, writing, theater and other sense and heart felt activities.
Big thanks to EPICENTER’s Mitra Kalita and Nitin Mukul for collaborating and funding the full rental expense of the auspicious space (25 Broadway) made available by Brice Bowman (Teach for America) who beyond the call of duty kept refilling the hot water thermoses for tea for the guests and a lot of heavy lifting. We thank Malabika Borah Brahma for organizing our friends and families from New Jersey to attend in full regalia and love we could feel. We thank each and every performer/contributor, named in the program below for offering your heartfelt performances. Kin folk came from miles around with songs in their hearts and yes, a smile was on every face—again, a testament to Bhupen Hazarika’s drawing power.
On behalf of BHF and EPICENTER we wish you and your families safe and happy holidays. Let’s make next year a great year. We hope you will share this news with your friends.
—Tej and Sage on behalf of BHF
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