Tears, Flowers, and Silence Mark Zubeen Garg’s Last Journey in Assam
Assam Bids Tearful Farewell to Zubeen Garg at Hatimura Cremation Ground
Guwahati, September 23: The voice that once carried the heartbeat of Assam fell silent forever today as the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg, the state’s most beloved cultural icon, were consigned to flames at Hatimura cremation ground in Sonapur.
The air was heavy with grief as thousands thronged the grounds and lined the funeral procession route, showering flowers, chanting prayers, and breaking down in tears. The state of Assam, known for its rich music and cultural traditions, stood united in mourning the irreplaceable loss of the singer who embodied its soul.
At around 10:55 AM, Zubeen Garg’s body arrived at Hatimura, carried with reverence through streets already filled with mourners since dawn. As the coffin approached the cremation site, the silence was broken only by muffled sobs and chants of “Zubeen Dada Amar Rahok” (May Zubeen live forever).
The singer’s pyre was lit by his sister, Palme Borthakur, in the presence of his grieving wife Garima Saikia Garg, his father, and close relatives. Their faces bore the anguish of losing not just an artist, but the pillar of their family. Holding each other in grief, they stood by the pyre, joined by close friends and fellow musicians who had shared in Zubeen’s journey.
Ahead of the cremation, the Assam Police accorded a gun salute, a mark of respect befitting a man who transcended the realm of music to become the voice of his people.
The final rites saw an outpouring of respect from across the political and cultural spectrum. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Sarbananda Sonowal, Pabitra Margherita, Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia, and leaders of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, AASU, and AJYCP all arrived with floral tributes. Their presence reflected how Zubeen was more than a singer—he was a cultural institution, a symbol of Assam’s identity carried to the world.
Student bodies including the All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU), All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA), All-Assam Chutia Students’ Union, and All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) stood shoulder to shoulder with ordinary citizens. Members of artist forums, fan clubs, and even representatives from Arunachal Pradesh joined in, underlining how Zubeen’s music crossed borders and touched every community.
Elaborate police arrangements ensured that the vast crowds could pay their respects in peace. Special gates were opened for fans, who streamed in ceaselessly—arms filled with flowers, posters, and his music albums. Many broke down in sobs at the sight of the coffin, while others stood silently, unable to accept that the voice that had shaped their youth and carried their sorrows was no more.
Some whispered their last prayers, others raised chants in unison. Together, they formed a river of grief flowing through Hatimura, united by love for the artist who sang their lives back to them in melodies.
As the flames rose and the chants faded into silence, Assam bid farewell to its dearest son. For decades, Zubeen Garg’s songs spoke of love, rebellion, heartbreak, and hope—becoming the soundtrack of generations.
Today, his physical presence rests in Sonapur, but his voice, etched into the land and hearts of his people, will never fade. From the hills to the tea gardens, from bustling towns to remote villages, his music will continue to echo as a reminder of the man who carried Assam’s soul in every note.
In the words of a mourner clutching his portrait: “Zubeen is not gone. He will live forever in our hearts and songs.”
Also read: Legendary Singer Zubeen Garg Passes Away at 52 in Singapore After Tragic Accident
