Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: On September 23, Assam witnessed an unparalleled moment in its cultural history as lakhs poured into Kamarkuchi village near Guwahati to bid a tearful goodbye to legendary singer and composer Zubeen Garg. The beloved artist was cremated with full state honours, his final journey marked by overwhelming emotion, unity, and reverence.
In a moment of solemn history, Guwahati turned into a sea of humanity on September 21 as fans flooded the streets for one last glimpse of the man who gave voice to their dreams.
The Limca Book of Records is learnt to have officially acknowledged the farewell as the fourth-largest public funeral globally, placing Zubeen Garg alongside towering global figures like Michael Jackson, Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth II. The city came to a near standstill as millions stood in quiet homage, reflecting the unmatched impact Zubeen had on his people.
Cultural titan whose voice united generations
Zubeen Garg wasn’t just a musical icon but a symbol of cultural pride, linguistic unity and artistic versatility. Widely loved as the ‘King of Humming,’ Zubeen brought Assamese music into the national spotlight while delivering chartbusters in multiple Indian languages.
His Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” became an anthem, but in Assam, he remained much more — a voice of the people, a youth icon and a relentless advocate for regional identity. His untimely death at 52 in Singapore, following a tragic scuba diving accident, has left an irreplaceable void.
Assam stands still as one to say goodbye
The two-day public mourning at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex saw an endless stream of mourners, young and old arriving with flowers, tears and songs.
On the day of the cremation, his body, draped in the iconic Assamese gamosa and placed in a glass coffin, was carried through the streets in a flower-laden ambulance. His sister, Palmee Borthakur, performed the final rites as fans broke into a heartfelt rendition of his beloved song Mayabini, turning grief into a collective celebration of his life.
