State Intervention Sought to Treat Folk Maestro Anil Hazarika

Anil Hazarika, a highly respected 70-year-old lyricist, singer, and composer, is currently living in severe financial hardship whilst battling chronic heart disease. For the last five years, his deteriorating cardiovascular health has prevented him from working, leaving him unable to afford the advanced medical treatment necessary for his recovery.

Hazarika is widely recognized for his immense contributions to the preservation of indigenous Bengali culture, having written, composed, and recorded approximately 1,300 regional folk songs. His extensive musical catalogue has been instrumental in safeguarding the distinct colloquial vocabulary and disappearing oral traditions of the greater Jessore area. Commenting on his physical forced retirement from his tin-roofed home, Hazarika stated: “I can no longer perform songs.”

Background and Rise to Broadcaster Status

Born the eldest son of the late Hazari Lal Biswas, Hazarika resides in Tilkhari village, located within the Dhaneshwargati Union of Shalikha Upazila, Magura. He grew up alongside two brothers and two sisters. His musical foundations were laid during his adolescence under the direct guidance of his father, who was also a traditional singer.

Due to acute family poverty, Hazarika abandoned his formal education at the age of 15 to work alongside his father as a manual labourer. Despite these hardships, his passion for the local dialect led him to begin composing original lyrics and melodies at the age of 20. His lifelong commitment to folk heritage culminated in 1985, when he was formally enlisted as a regular performing artiste for Bangladesh Betar (Khulna Station), subsequently enjoying decades of national radio and television airplay.

Medical Expenses and Institutional Recognition

The elderly artiste’s domestic situation remains critical. He lives in poverty with his wife, Jyotsna Hazarika, following the marriage and departure of their two daughters. His wife noted that the family has already spent over 400,000 Bangladeshi Taka on preliminary medical appointments and prescriptions, completely exhausting their modest savings without achieving a significant recovery. She expressed hope that state-backed clinical care could restore his health, enabling him to return to the creative arts.

Artiste Overview and Historical Achievements

Hazarika’s dedication to linguistic preservation has previously been acknowledged by several major academic and cultural bodies. He has received formal awards from the Department of Folklore at Rajshahi University, the Nrityabitan cultural group of Jessore, and the Magura District Shilpakala Academy.

Addressing the musician’s situation, the Shalikha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Tanvir Hasan Chowdhury, confirmed that the local government is prepared to act. He stated that if Hazarika or his family submits a formal written petition for emergency financial aid to either the Upazila administration or the office of the Deputy Commissioner, the state will promptly evaluate the application to grant medical compensation.