Delhi: Late playback singer Bhupen Hazarika has been bestowed with India's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on Thursday.
President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the award to the late singer's son Tej Hazarika.
In a formal function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Bhupen Harazika was given the award posthumously.
Vice President M Venkaikah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were among those present at the function.
The late singer had earlier received many prestigious honours including the National Film Award, Padmashri, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Padma Vibhushan, among others.
Born in 1926, Hazarika introduced the culture and folk music of Assam and Northeast India to Hindi cinema. He was predominantly known in West Bengal and Bangladesh as a singer, lyricist, musician, singer, poet and filmmaker from Assam.
The acclaimed singer was widely known as Sudhakantha, meaning the nightingale.
Hazarika was known for his baritone voice and for creating versatile music including romantic, social and political commentary.
Songs including 'Bistirno Parore,' 'Moi Eti Jajabo,' 'Ganga Mor Maa,' and 'Bimurto Mur Nixati Jen' are still alive with the audiences.
