‘Zubeen, Zubeen’ echoes as Assam sings legend’s iconic ‘Mayabini’ during final goodbye

Dispur: Singer Zubeen Garg’s mortal remains were consigned to flames in the serene surroundings of Kamarkuchi, on the outskirts of Guwahati, as Vedic hymns echoed in the air.

His sister Palme Borthakur, along with his disciple and music composer Rahul Gautam, lit the funeral pyre while priests guided them through rituals.

The two circumambulated the pyre seven times as those gathered stood in solemn respect.

Sitting by the platform, his grieving wife Garima Saikia Garg wept throughout the rites, as chants, conch shells, and sacred prayers filled the atmosphere.

As the smoke rose skyward, cries of “Zubeen, Zubeen” resounded, and mourners broke into his beloved song “Mayabini Ratir Buku.”

After tributes concluded, the Assam Police offered a gun salute and sounded the bugle in honour of the music icon.

His body, placed upon the pyre with ceremonial dignity, was joined by offerings of sandalwood, including a branch from a tree Zubeen had planted on his birthday in 2017.

Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Kiren Rijiju, along with CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, also placed wood on the pyre as part of the final farewell to Assam’s eternal voice.

His funeral rites took place at Kamarkuchi village in Sonapur with full state honours, as lakhs gathered to say their final goodbye.

The Assam Police served as pallbearers, carrying his coffin with solemn dignity along the highway and performing a ceremonial gun salute.

The singer’s final journey began at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, where his body was placed for public tributes, before being taken to Guwahati Medical College for a second post-mortem earlier in the morning.

From there, it was brought back to the sports complex and later carried to the crematorium, where Zubeen Garg’s last rites are being performed. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also announced that the state government will build two memorials in his honour.

The entire procession route was sealed off to traffic, and dry days were declared across parts of Assam and Meghalaya.

Assam CM had announced earlier, “We will carry the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg from Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to Kamarkuchi, where the last rites will be conducted with a state funeral.”

A Sea of Grief in Guwahati

Thousands had thronged the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, standing in endless queues under the blazing sun to pay their last respects.

At Sarusajai Stadium, where his body was placed for public homage, his four dogs — Iko, Diya, Rambo, and Maya — were brought for one final farewell.

His wife Garima held them close as each was lifted to the glass casket, creating a deeply emotional scene that left many in tears. Fans sang his unforgettable songs, while several collapsed from the heat and were given urgent medical help.

Political Tributes and Official Honours

CM Sarma had personally visited the cremation site, calling Zubeen “the cultural heartbeat of Assam” and declaring, “There will never be another Zubeen.” He later shared on X that he inspected preparations ahead of the final rites.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was represented by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at the funeral.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also joined thousands of citizens in mourning. As the cortege travelled from the airport to the city, an unbroken line of mourners stood along the 25-km stretch, showering petals and prayers in his honour.

Second Post-Mortem for Transparency

For transparency, a second post-mortem was conducted at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital in the presence of AIIMS doctors and family members. CM Sarma confirmed the procedure was carried out to rule out any suspicion.

Assam in Mourning

Shops, businesses, and markets across Assam had shut voluntarily, while vigils and memorials were organised across towns and villages. His wife Garima thanked the people for their “overwhelming love and blessings,” while the family ensured his last rites respected Zubeen’s wishes.

The Final Note of a Legend

Zubeen Garg had died in Singapore on September 19 in a tragic scuba diving accident. Singapore authorities confirmed drowning as the cause of death, while Assam officials awaited full medical reports.

Born on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen had shown remarkable talent as a multi-instrumentalist from childhood, mastering the dhol, guitar, and keyboard.

His debut album, Anamika (1992), and the Assamese classic Mayabini made him a household name.

Over his career, he recorded more than 35,000 songs in over 40 languages, creating an unmatched legacy in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi music.

He became a national sensation with “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006), and went on to deliver popular hits like “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” in Krrish 3 (2013). Despite fame across India, Zubeen remained rooted in Assam, celebrating its culture and lending his voice to social and humanitarian causes.

In 2018, his compassion for animals earned him recognition from PETA. To his fans, he was far more than a singer — he was their voice, their conscience, their eternal melody.