Guwahati, September 22, 2025 : As the sun rose over the misty hills of Assam on this somber Monday, the streets of Guwahati lay eerily silent, shrouded in collective grief. Shops shuttered, flags at half-mast, and the air thick with the echoes of unsung melodies – the state has come to a standstill to honor Zubeen Garg, the 52-year-old musical maestro whose voice was the very pulse of Assamese identity. Garg, affectionately known as "Zubeen Da" to millions, passed away tragically on September 19 in Singapore during a scuba diving excursion, leaving behind a legacy etched in over 38,000 songs across 40 languages and dialects. Today, as preparations intensify for his state funeral tomorrow, Assam reflects on a life that transcended music to become a cultural revolution.
The Tragic End: A Life Cut Short in Distant Waters
Zubeen Garg's untimely death occurred off the coast of Lazarus Island in Singapore, where he had traveled to perform at the North East India Festival. According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Garg experienced sudden breathlessness and a seizure while swimming from a yacht without a life jacket, alongside 17 others. Despite immediate CPR and rushed hospitalization, he was declared dead at Singapore General Hospital around 2:50 PM IST on Friday. The official death certificate lists drowning as the cause, pending confirmation from a detailed post-mortem report.
The incident has sparked calls for a thorough investigation. CM Sarma, who personally coordinated with Singapore's High Commissioner Simon Wong, has urged a probe into the circumstances, emphasizing, "Our people have the right to know what exactly happened to their icon in his last moments." Multiple FIRs have been filed in Assam against the event organizer Shyam Kanu Mahanta and Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma for alleged negligence. Garima Saikia Garg, the singer's wife, made an emotional plea via video, urging the withdrawal of these FIRs to allow the family to grieve in peace: "Please let Siddhartha be part of Zubeen's final journey."
Garg's ailing father, Mithuram Garg, a renowned Bihu exponent, was among the first to receive the heartbreaking news, adding layers of familial sorrow to the state's mourning.
A Cultural Colossus: From Humble Beginnings to National Icon
Born on January 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, to a family of musicians, Zubeen Garg's journey was a symphony of passion and perseverance. Raised in Jorhat, Assam, he burst onto the scene in the 1990s with his debut album *Phool*, blending traditional Bihu rhythms with contemporary flair. Over three decades, Garg became a polyglot virtuoso, crooning in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Bodo, Nepali, Tiwa, Karbi, Bhojpuri, and even Tamil. His discography boasts over 38,000 tracks, making him one of India's most prolific artists.
Nationally, he enchanted audiences with soul-stirring numbers like "Ya Ali" from the 2006 film *Gangster*, earning a cult following in Bollywood. Yet, it was in Assam where he reigned supreme – a "demigod," as fans call him – using his platform to champion social causes. Garg advocated for humanity, environmental conservation, and flood relief, often performing gratis for the underprivileged. He forayed into acting, producing, and filmmaking, with hits like *Mission China* and *Kanchan Junki* showcasing his directorial prowess. As actor Adil Hussain tweeted, "His contribution to Assamese music and culture is extraordinary... Zubeen was an influence for the masses, talking selflessly about humanity."
Tributes have flooded in from across India and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: "Shocked by the sudden demise of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music... Om Shanti." Filmmaker Anu Malik recalled Garg as a "gentle, loving soul" who once confided about occasional blackouts, hinting at underlying health concerns.
Waves of Grief: A State in Suspended Animation
The news of Garg's passing on Friday triggered an outpouring of sorrow that has gripped Assam like a monsoon deluge. The state government swiftly declared three days of mourning from September 20 to 22, suspending all official entertainment, ceremonial functions, and public celebrations. Essential services under the 'Sewa Saptah' initiative continue, but benefit distributions stand postponed. In a cabinet decision on Sunday, the mourning period was extended till September 23 to encompass the funeral, with dry days enforced on September 22 and 23.
Guwahati, Garg's adopted home, transformed into a sea of black and white. Tens of thousands lined the streets as his mortal remains arrived from Delhi via a special flight early Sunday, draped in the Assamese Gamocha and adorned with flowers. The procession to his Kahilipara residence drew emotional crowds, many weeping openly and chanting "Zubeen Da Amar" (Zubeen Da is Ours). Shops and markets across the state – from Jorhat to Silchar – voluntarily shuttered, though some reports highlighted coerced closures amid the fervor, prompting appeals for dignified grief.
At the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex (Sarusajai Stadium) in Guwahati, where Garg's body has been kept since Sunday for public viewing, lakhs have paid respects. From 9 AM to 7 PM daily, fans – young and old, from all walks of life – have queued for hours, leaving floral tributes, handwritten notes, and lit candles. The venue, once alive with his concert cheers, now resonates with muffled sobs and impromptu renditions of his hits like "O Mur Apunar Desh" and "Jaanmon."
The mourning has transcended borders, with Nagaland's Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton offering condolences and the BCCI announcing a memorial tribute at the Women's ODI World Cup opening on September 30 at Barsapara Stadium. Social media overflows with hashtags like #ZubeenGarg, #FarewellZubeenDa, and #AssamMourns, amassing millions of views. One viral video captures a fan saying, "He wasn't just a singer; he was our philosophy, our cult."
State Honors and Final Rites: A Procession to Eternity
In a fitting tribute to Assam's "favorite son," the cabinet approved full state honors for Garg's funeral, scheduled for September 23 at Kamarkuchi NC village near Sonapur, about 40 km from Guwahati. The site, on 10 bighas of allotted land, will host his cremation at 2 PM, respecting the family's wishes despite pleas from Jorhat residents to hold it in his hometown. A grand funeral procession will commence at 8 AM from Sarusajai Stadium, winding through the city to Hatimura Ghat in Sonapur. To accommodate the expected multitudes, the National Highway will close from 8 AM to 2 PM, with authorities urging crowd control to prevent overcrowding.
Post-cremation, Garg's ashes will be immersed in the Brahmaputra River, symbolizing his deep bond with Assam's lifeline. The state has pledged two memorials: one at the cremation site in Kamrup and another in Jorhat, ensuring his spirit endures. CM Sarma, who inspected the site personally, tweeted, "My officers will work through the night to prepare... Zubeen will now live on among all of you."
Garima Saikia Garg, in a poignant message shared by *The Assam Tribune*, addressed the masses: "Zubeen always wished for everyone to live in peace. He loved you, and he loved Assam deeply. Seeing your love, he has left with peace and gratitude." Her words, delivered through tears, underscore the mutual devotion that defined his bond with the people.
A Void Unfillable: Legacy in Song and Soul
As Assam braces for tomorrow's farewell – projected to be the fourth-largest funeral gathering globally, rivaling those of Michael Jackson, Pope Francis, and Queen Elizabeth – the question lingers: Who will fill the silence left by Zubeen Garg? His music, a bridge between tradition and modernity, energized generations and wove humanity into every note. From Bihu beats that ignited Rongali festivals to Bollywood anthems that crossed borders, Garg was Assam's ambassador, unifier, and eternal heartthrob.
In the words of CM Sarma, "He has left a void that will never be filled. Our future generations will remember him as a stalwart of Assam’s culture." As the procession tomorrow carries him home, one thing is certain: Zubeen Da's voice will echo forever in the valleys, rivers, and hearts of Assam – a melody of loss, love, and undying legacy.
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