Zubeen Garg's Last Rites Performed: Assam Bids Farewell to Its Heatthrob

In a poignant ceremony marked by grief and reverence, the last rites of beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg were performed today at Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati, with full state honours.

The 52-year-old artist, who tragically "drowned" during a swimming incident in Singapore on September 19, was cremated in the presence of thousands of mourning fans, family, and dignitaries, bringing to a close a chapter of immense cultural loss for Assam.

The procession began at 7:30 AM from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, where Zubeen's mortal remains had been placed for public viewing since their arrival from Singapore.

Assam Police carried the coffin, accompanied by a gun salute, as the cortege proceeded along the highway to the cremation site.

To facilitate the solemn event, traffic on the route was halted for several hours, allowing uninterrupted passage.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma personally oversaw preparations at the site, ensuring a dignified farewell that honoured the family's wishes for the rites to be held near Guwahati.

Zubeen's sister, Palme Baruah, performed the mukhagni (lighting of the pyre), with assistance from Rahul Gautam Sharma and Arun Garg.

Priests conducted the final rituals before the cremation, as per tradition.

The state government declared a four-day mourning period, closing all schools, colleges, and universities today, while government offices in Kamrup (Metro) district remained shut.

Arrangements were also made to screen the proceedings at public venues across Assam, enabling distant admirers to join in bidding adieu to the soulful voice that defined generations.

Zubeen Garg had sung over 32,000 songs in more than 40 languages, leaving an indelible mark on Assamese music and Bollywood alike.

As the flames rose at Kamarkuchi, the air filled with chants of his popular tracks and tearful tributes. Fans from across the state, particularly from Jorhat—where Zubeen spent his formative years—gathered in large numbers, though the family's preference for a Guwahati-area cremation was upheld after cabinet deliberations.

In a gesture of enduring legacy, the Assam government announced plans to construct two memorials in his honour, ensuring his contributions to music and culture live on.