Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remembered legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on her birth anniversary, highlighting her contribution to Assamese music and her long-standing musical association with Bharat Ratna recipient Bhupen Hazarika.Sarma shared Lata Mangeshkar’s Assamese song “Jonakore Rati, Asomire Maati” on social media and recalled that the song, composed by Bhupen Hazarika for the 1956 Assamese film Era Bator Xur, became an important part of Assam’s musical memory.Key HighlightsHimanta Biswa Sarma paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar on her birth anniversary.He recalled her first Assamese song, “Jonakore Rati, Asomire Maati”.The song was composed by Bhupen Hazarika for Era Bator Xur in 1956.Sarma highlighted the decades-long musical bond between Mangeshkar and Hazarika.He also linked their music to the cultural connection between Assam and Maharashtra.Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations are being held across India in 2026.Himanta Sarma Pays Tribute to Lata MangeshkarOn Lata Mangeshkar’s birth anniversary, Himanta Biswa Sarma remembered the iconic singer and highlighted her connection with Assam’s musical heritage.Sarma said her first Assamese song, “Jonakore Rati, Asomire Maati”, became an enduring part of Assam’s musical memory. He also noted that the collaboration marked the beginning of a remarkable musical association between Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika that continued for decades.The Chief Minister also referred to the shared meaning of the word “Aai” in Marathi and Assamese, describing it as an expression of love that connects the two cultures.Lata Mangeshkar’s First Assamese Song“Jonakore Rati, Asomire Maati” holds a special place in the history of Assamese playback music.The song was composed by Bhupen Hazarika for Era Bator Xur, released in 1956. Lata Mangeshkar’s performance marked an important moment in Assamese cinema and helped bring her voice to an Assamese-language audience.The Wire has described the song as a milestone because it was Lata Mangeshkar’s first solo Assamese playback number and an early example of a major Hindi-film singer recording for Assamese cinema.Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika’s Musical BondThe connection between Lata Mangeshkar and Bhupen Hazarika extended well beyond their early collaboration.Hazarika worked with Lata Mangeshkar on several occasions, and their association continued over many years. One later example was the Assamese film Paani, for which Lata recorded “Moi Uthai Jolodhir Majoloi”. The film was released in 1995, and Hazarika served as its music director.Their association also reached Hindi cinema. Lata Mangeshkar famously sang “Dil Hoom Hoom Kare”, the Hindi version of Hazarika’s Assamese composition “Buku Hom Hom Kore”, for the film Rudaali.The collaboration helped connect Assamese musical traditions with audiences across India.A Musical Connection Between Assam and MaharashtraSarma’s tribute also highlighted the cultural connection represented by the two singers.Lata Mangeshkar was born in Maharashtra, while Bhupen Hazarika became one of Assam’s most influential cultural figures. Their collaboration brought together two different linguistic and musical traditions.Sarma said Lata’s reference to the word “Aai” reflected how language and music can create shared cultural connections between communities.The tribute comes during the year of Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations. The Assam government is organising programmes to mark his 100th birth anniversary, with a grand finale scheduled in New Delhi on November 29, 2026.Lata Mangeshkar’s Legacy in Indian MusicLata Mangeshkar, who was born on September 28, 1929, became one of the most influential playback singers in Indian cinema. She recorded songs in several Indian languages, including Assamese, Marathi, Bengali and Hindi.Her contribution to regional-language music remains an important part of her legacy. Her work with Bhupen Hazarika is particularly remembered in Assam because it helped bring together artists and audiences across linguistic and geographical boundaries.Himanta Sarma’s latest tribute has once again brought attention to that musical history as Assam celebrates Bhupen Hazarika’s centenary year.
