Posthumous Honour for Bhupen Hazarika’s Brother in 2026 Artist Award Announcement
Assam Announces 2026 Artist Award with Major Welfare Support for Artists & Families
Assam Supports 256 Artists with Pension & Honour
Guwahati, January 16, 2026 — The Government of Assam has officially announced the much-awaited artist award recipients and welfare measures for the year 2026, bringing joy and renewed hope to the state’s vibrant cultural and artistic community.
In a heartfelt and significant decision, the prestigious 2026 Artist Award will be conferred posthumously upon the renowned singer Samar Hazarika, who passed away recently. Samar Hazarika, fondly remembered as the younger brother of Assam’s legendary music icon Dr Bhupen Hazarika, made lifelong contributions to Assamese music, folk traditions, and the preservation of the state’s rich cultural heritage. This posthumous artist award is seen as a fitting tribute to his dedication and will further immortalize his legacy in Assam’s musical history.
Joining Samar Hazarika in receiving the 2026 Artist Award is eminent artist Dhanada Pathak, whose consistent efforts in promoting and safeguarding Assam’s traditional and contemporary art forms have earned widespread respect. Both honours recognize decades of selfless service to the cultural landscape of the state.
The government has also declared several special category awards for the year 2025, celebrating excellence across multiple domains:
- Krishna Kanta Sandikoi Memorial Award — Litterateur Maneswar Deuri
- Gopinath Bordoloi National Integration Award — Distinguished educationist Dr Amalendu Chakraborty
- Natasurya Phani Sharma Award — Noted theatre personality Karuna Deka
- Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award — Filmmaker Arup Manna
- Biju Phukan Award — Abani Ranjan Pathak
These artist awards and special honours highlight outstanding achievements in literature, education, theatre, cinema, and allied creative fields, reinforcing Assam’s position as a powerhouse of cultural talent.
Beyond individual recognitions, the Assam Government has rolled out comprehensive welfare initiatives aimed at providing long-term financial security to artists and their families. Under the scheme:
- 83 artists across the state will receive regular monthly artist pensions
- 3 specially-abled artists will also be covered under the regular pension scheme
- 170 artists will be granted the annual Artist Honour (financial assistance)
- 3 specially-abled artists will receive the annual honour
Additionally, the government has extended support to families of deceased artists: regular pensions will be provided to the families of 26 artists, while 5 families will receive one-time special financial assistance.
These welfare measures are expected to significantly alleviate the financial hardships often faced by artists in their later years or after their demise, allowing the creative community to focus on artistic pursuit without constant economic worry.
Cultural experts, litterateurs, and senior artists have widely welcomed the announcement. Many believe that the posthumous artist award to Samar Hazarika will inspire younger generations to dedicate themselves to the preservation of Assamese music and folk traditions. The inclusion of welfare benefits for hundreds of artists and families is being hailed as one of the most artist-friendly policies in recent years.
With these announcements, the Assam Government has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to nurturing and protecting the state’s invaluable cultural assets. The 2026 artist award announcement, combined with expanded financial support, is set to create a positive ripple effect across Assam’s art, music, theatre, literature, and cinema sectors in the coming years.
For artists, cultural enthusiasts, and the people of Assam, this is more than just an award ceremony — it is a strong affirmation that creativity and cultural contribution will always be valued and protected in the state.
Assam Government 2026 Artist Award announced: Posthumous honour for late singer Samar Hazarika (brother of Bhupen Hazarika), Dhanada Pathak, special awards 2025 & pensions/honour for 83+170 artists., The announcement is widely welcomed as a major boost for Assam’s cultural community.
