New Delhi: Way back in 1926, on this date, noted Assamese singer, music composer, film director and actor, Bhupen Hazarika, was born.Popularly known as the ‘Bard of the Brahmaputra’, the inimitable Bhupen da enthralled many music lovers spanning Assam, Bengal, Bangladesh, Bollywood and beyond. The oeuvre of Hazarika’s songs – infused with local culture and ethos and laced with the folk tunes of his home state – created a musical tapestry which has continued to enthral listeners long after his demise. Above all, his songs have been able to encourage sustained dialogue on Assam and Assamese society. Also read: Bhupen Hazarika Has Lessons for Protest Song Writers in Today’s AssamToday, on September 8, 2020, Hazarika would have been 94. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, as a personal tribute to his memory, to his love for an identity of Assam hinged on its syncretic culture, here is an attempt to translate – loosely – one of his most popular songs, Mahabahu Brahmaputra. The song embraces the heritage of the land through which the Brahmaputra, or the ‘Luit’ as it is called in Assam, flows. The cultural and sociological history of Assam is encompassed in a few lines set to music. And yet, they have been sung by many. I thank Aruni Kashyap, writer-translator from Assam and at present, assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Georgia, Athens (USA), for helping out with the translation. The lack of appropriate expressions in English for some of Assamese terms is often a point of frustration for any translator, but never a hindrance. The translation has a singular purpose, to convey to non-Assamese music lovers the import, the soul and the body of the song. Any suggestion to make it a better version is welcome from readers and listeners.Mahabahu BrahmaputraWhere does spring come to its own? By the banks of the Brahmaputra, isn’t it? But have you wonderedWhat is the heritage of the mighty Brahmaputra? O the mighty Brahmaputra! Maha-bahu BrahmaputraThe abode of many a confluence For millennia, it has illumined to mankindThe true import of assimilationThe Baro Bhuyans arrived at its shores From faraway KannaujIn that clan, on this land, Sankardeva was born From Persia came Azan FakirComposed the melodious Jikir by its banksDilvar from Delhi came tooTo draw the Hasti-Puthi hereFrom the Land of Five Waters appeared Guru Teg Bahadur To build a bridge of unitySprouted many an example of union Mahabahu BrahmaputraLachit fenced the enemy at Saraighat itself Bound one and all in a veil of loyalty, patriotismMerging the lines of community, faith and tongue into oneSon of the Kirata, Bishnu Rabha, Enlivened the culture of the landMagnified the many facets of integration Mahabahu BrahmaputraSwayed by the sweeps of River PadmaSeveral reached the shores of Luit O how many visitors did both the banks of Luit greet!Take some, give someGive and take To mergeOpen your arms, unite Open your hearts, give Tagore said so tooIt was here that Jyotiprasad Agarwal spread light Botched the conspiracy of those who wouldn’t merge! Mahabahu Brahmaputra O the abode of many a unionFor millennia, the migrants continued to march to itThus, carving out a pilgrimage for assimilation Below is the Assamese version of the song.