On July 10, 1978, Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika visited the Kopili Hydropower Project at Umrangso, a moment that would later find a lasting place in Assam’s cultural memory. Dr Hazarika, who would go on to receive the Asom Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna, was already a towering cultural figure whose work was deeply rooted in the land and people of the Northeast.
At the time, the Kopili project was one of the early flagship ventures of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), aimed at tapping the hydropower potential of the region. Located in what is now Dima Hasao district, the project draws water from the Kopili River, a key tributary of the Brahmaputra that flows through forests, hills and tribal settlements, shaping livelihoods and local culture for generations.
Dr Hazarika’s visit was not limited to viewing the engineering aspects of the project. Known for his deep emotional bond with nature and society, he was moved by the idea of turning the river’s force into a means of collective development without breaking its link with the people living along its banks. The experience inspired him to compose the song “Kopili Kopili”, which later became one of his most memorable compositions.
Rather than celebrating development in a conventional sense, “Kopili Kopili” presents the river as a living entity—watching change unfold while continuing to sustain life. Through its lyrics and melody, Dr Hazarika captured a delicate balance between human effort, respect for nature and hope for the future, echoing his belief that progress must be humane and culturally sensitive.
The song also reflects a broader understanding of the Northeast, a region rich in rivers such as the Brahmaputra, Barak, Subansiri and Kopili, but often viewed only through the lens of resources and strategic value. Dr Hazarika’s composition shifted the focus to the people, their emotions and their relationship with the land.
Nearly five decades later, “Kopili Kopili” remains more than just a song inspired by a hydropower project. It stands as a cultural document of a significant phase in the Northeast’s journey towards modern development—one that sought to overcome isolation and hardship while holding on to its identity.
Even as the Kopili Hydropower Project continues to play a key role in the region’s power supply, Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s timeless composition serves as a reminder that art can capture history with a depth often missing from official records. By weaving together the river, the people and the idea of progress, “Kopili Kopili” continues to echo the Northeast’s ongoing conversation between tradition and change.