Seven years after his death, the resonant sounds of unity and integrity of the North East, which can clearly be termed a mini-India, reverberate across the valleys and mountains of the region in Bhupen Hazarika’s baritone voice. In the villages of Assam or small towns, his songs are played daily as a ritual, who is called rightly as bard of Assam. Hazarika was just not a singer or composer - he encapsulated the soul of North East’s music and peoples’ lives through his compositions. His songs, written and sung mainly in the Assamese language by himself, are marked by humanity and universal brotherhood and have been translated and sung in many languages, most notably in Bengali and Hindi. His songs, based on the themes of communal amity, universal justice and empathy, have become popular among the people of Assam, besides West Bengal and Bangladesh. He is also acknowledged to have introduced the culture and folk music of Assam and North East India to Hindi cinema at the national level.

Arunachal Pradesh always had a special place for Hazarika since he was closely linked to the people considering the fact that he was born in Bolung village, presently in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh on the banks of Lohit River. The River too had a great influence on him which confluences in to Brahmaputra. Thus it was a befitting tribute to name the Dhola-Sadiya bridge connecting Assam and Arunachal Pradesh across the River Lohit as Bhupen Hazarika Setu. But the most fitting tribute for him from Arunachal was the ‘Statue of Brotherhood’ (a 10-feet tall bronze statue) unveiled by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday in Bolung village. It may also be noted that Arunachal government had as far back as 1979 honoured him with Gold medal for his "outstanding contribution towards tribal welfare, and uplift of tribal culture through cinema and music." 

People of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam share historical ties since times immemorial and they still maintain that friendship and brotherhood, occasional border skirmishes notwithstanding. The need of the hour is more modern troubadours like Bhupen Hazarika to spread the message of unity and universal brotherhood.