Assam is in mourning. Today morning, the state’s beloved ‘Zubeenda’ returned home for the final time. At Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, thousands gathered to receive the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg, the singer who had been the voice of a generation.
The coffin, draped in flowers, was carried out through the VIP gate in a decorated ambulance. Leading the solemn procession were Assam’s Director General of Police Harmeet Singh and Guwahati Police Commissioner Parthasarathy Mahanta.
Behind them rolled Zubeen’s favourite open jeep, the one he often used to travel to concerts, carrying a giant portrait of the singer. His own band members followed, playing his songs one last time as the crowds wept and sang along.
From the airport, Zubeen’s body was first taken to his Kahilipara residence, where it stayed for nearly an hour and a half. His 85-year-old father and other family members broke down in tears as they received him for the last time.
Later, the body was placed at the Arjun Bhogeshwar Barua Sports Complex, where thousands queued up from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm to pay their respects. Many had camped outside since the previous night.
The 52-year-old singer died on Friday in Singapore during a scuba diving excursion. Though he was rescued and rushed to hospital, doctors could not revive him.
What was initially described as a tragic accident has since raised questions. The Assam government has filed a case against event organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen’s close aide Siddhartha Sharma. Both will be interrogated, officials confirmed, as speculation grows over whether this was truly an accident.
Amid the grief and suspicion, Zubeen’s wife Garima Garg released an emotional video message on his official Facebook page. Appealing for calm, she defended Siddhartha.
The venue for Zubeen’s cremation has not yet been finalized. However, during his lifetime, Zubeen had often said that his final rites should be performed in Assam and that his ashes be immersed in the Brahmaputra River.
Born on November 18, 1972, Zubeen Garg was a composer, lyricist, music director, actor and filmmaker. His Bollywood breakthrough came in 2006 with the haunting ‘Ya Ali’ from ‘Gangster’, a track that took the world by storm.
Yet, despite his success in Mumbai, Zubeen remained deeply rooted in Assamese music, shaping its modern identity and carrying it to the world stage.
