The early hours of Tuesday saw Assam awash with grief and an overwhelming outpouring of emotions, as the life and legacy of singer Zubeen Garg were bid farewell with full state honours near Guwahati. His mortal remains, brought back after a tragic accident overseas, were finally laid to rest in Kamarkuchi NC village, Kamrup district, in a ceremony marked by rituals, tears, and reverence.
<h3 data-start="275" data-end="301">Who Was Zubeen Garg?</h3>
Zubeen Garg was one of Assam&rsquo;s greatest cultural icons, a singer, composer, lyricist, actor, and activist who became the voice of an entire generation. Known as &ldquo;Zubeen Da,&rdquo; he sang in over 20 languages and recorded more than 30,000 songs, weaving Assamese folk with Bollywood glamour and leaving behind a legacy unmatched in India&rsquo;s musical landscape.
<h3 data-start="671" data-end="692">Rise to Stardom</h3>
His journey began at 19, when his debut album Anamika (1992) became an instant chartbuster. At a time when Assam was reeling under violence from separatist groups, Zubeen&rsquo;s melodies of love, hope, and longing brought relief and joy to a troubled land.
By 2000, he had made his acting and directorial debut with Tumi Mor Matho Mor, further cementing his superstar status. His face dominated billboards, his songs echoed through buses, markets, and college campuses, and his distinct style,&nbsp; ripped jeans, trendy sunglasses, and a rebellious flair,&nbsp; made him a fashion icon.
No Bihu celebration was complete without him. Each April, Zubeen toured the state, drawing thousands to live concerts where his voice effortlessly glided between rock, folk, Borgeet, and Zikir. Fans didn&rsquo;t just admire him, they called him an &ldquo;emotion,&rdquo; a pop culture phenomenon without parallel.
<h3 data-start="1576" data-end="1594">Beyond Music</h3>
Zubeen&rsquo;s influence went far beyond the stage. Though never aligned with a political party, he was unafraid to speak truth to power. He condemned violence by separatist groups despite threats, opposed the controversial citizenship law in 2019, and stood with Guwahati residents in 2024 against tree felling for a flyover project.
He also used his fame for good. During the Covid pandemic, he offered his apartment as a government isolation centre. Across decades, countless people recalled receiving his financial help for medical bills, education, weddings, and funerals.
His generosity was often channelled through his fan clubs across Assam, which helped him identify and support those in need. Today, the same fan clubs are managing crowds and tributes as the state bids him farewell.
&ldquo;He feared nobody. He spoke his heart out. And he was extremely generous. Can you think of any other celebrity like that?&rdquo; said Bimugdha Goswami, one of the thousands gathered in Guwahati to honour him.
<h3 data-start="2952" data-end="2981">Why His Legacy Lives On</h3>
From Ya Ali to Assamese folk ballads, from protest stages to flood relief camps, Zubeen Garg lived as the voice of his people. His songs will remain etched in the heart of India, while his fearlessness, generosity, and cultural pride ensure that &ldquo;Zubeen Da&rdquo; is remembered not just as a singer, but as an era.

Thousands sing ‘Mayabini’ as Zubeen Garg’s last rites held with state honours in Guwahati

Assam Bids Final Goodbye to Zubeen Garg

Thousands sing ‘Mayabini’ as Zubeen Garg’s last rites held with state honours in Guwahati

September 23, 2025 | 23:32 IST