NEW DELHI: Assam bids a tearful farewell to its beloved icon, legendary singer and composer Zubeen Garg, whose untimely passing has left the state in deep sorrow.His last rites and cremation are taking place at Kamarkuchi village in Sonapur with full state honours. The September 23 ceremonies offered a poignant farewell to the voice that defined a generation, marked by massive public gatherings and solemn tributes.

The Assam Police served as pallbearers, escorting the coffin along the highway and performing a gun salute. The route remained closed to vehicular traffic, and dry days have been declared along the procession route, including Meghalaya.Earlier, addressing the media, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that, “We will carry the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg from Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at around 8 am on September 23 to Kamarkuchi, where the last rites will be conducted. A state funeral will be held today.”

Massive public homage in Guwahati

Thousands of fans on Tuesday thronged Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to pay their last respects, with queues stretching for hours amid scorching heat.As lakhs of fans paid their respects to Assam’s beloved singer Zubeen Garg, his four dogs also made a final visit to their master on Monday at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, where his mortal remains were kept for public homage.

Zubeen’s four beloved dogs – Iko, Diya, Rambo, and Maya — were brought by his family for a final farewell, creating an emotional scene at the venue. His wife, Garima Garg, held the dogs close as they were led to the glass casket. One by one, the dogs were shown their master’s face, creating a deeply emotional moment in an already grief-stricken stadium.Fans sang his iconic songs, while many people fell ill due to the heat and received immediate medical attention.Earlier on Monday, thousands of emotional fans thronged the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to pay their respects. Scenes from outside the venue showed long queues of devotees, many visibly moved, patiently waiting for a final glimpse of the music legend and mourning his tragic loss.

Political and official tributes

Sarma visited the cremation site, overseeing arrangements, and described Zubeen as a cultural icon. Sharing a post on X, he said “Ahead of the final goodbye to Zubeen, I inspected the cremation site and took stock of the preparations.” He also paid a heartfelt tribute to the late popular singer saying, “There will never be another Zubeen.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the funeral, alongside representatives from various state governments.Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also paid his last tribute to Zubeen Garg, joining countless fans in honouring the beloved singer.Thousands of mourners lined the 25-km stretch from the airport to the city, paying tribute as Zubeen’s mortal remains were taken to his residence and then the sports complex.

Second post-mortem in Guwahati

Following a second post-mortem conducted for transparency, a second post-mortem was conducted at Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) in the presence of AIIMS doctors, with the family’s consent.Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the procedure was to ensure transparency and rule out foul play.

Public response and memorials

Across Assam, memorials were held, and most commercial establishments voluntarily closed to honour Zubeen Garg.Fans and citizens expressed grief at both the public homage and in spontaneous gatherings, highlighting the singer’s immense influence in Assamese music and culture.

Wife Garima Saikia Garg thanked the public for their “overwhelming love and blessings,” while the family ensured the funeral arrangements respected Zubeen’s wishes.Zubeen Garg passed away on September 19 in Singapore in a scuba diving accident. The Singapore authorities issued a death certificate citing drowning as the cause, while a post-mortem report is being sought by Assam officials for further verification.

Who was Zubeen Garg?

Zubeen Garg, celebrated not only for his music but also for his love of animals, was posthumously honored for his contributions to animal welfare, including recognition by PETA in 2018.Born on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen’s musical journey began early. A multi-instrumentalist, he mastered the dhol, guitar, and keyboard, showcasing his versatility from a young age.His debut album, “Anamika” (1992), and his famous Assamese song “Mayabini” instantly made him a star in the Assamese music scene. Over his career, he recorded over 35,000 songs in more than 40 languages, including Assamese, Hindi, and Bengali.While a regional superstar, Zubeen gained national recognition with the soulful track ‘Ya Ali’ from the 2006 film Gangster, which became an instant sensation.He also lent his voice to popular Hindi tracks like “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from Krrish 3 (2013) and “Jaane Kya Chahe Mann” from Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006), among several other hits. Despite his fame across India, he remained deeply rooted in Assam, using his music to celebrate and preserve the culture of his home state. Beyond music, Zubeen was also a passionate activist, lending his voice to social, environmental, and human rights causes throughout his life.(With inputs and photos from PTI)