Assam came to a standstill on Tuesday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to the state’s most beloved musical icon, Zubeen Garg. The funeral of the legendary singer, composer, and actor was held with full honour and reverence at Kamarkuchi NC village under the Sonapur revenue circle, nearly 20 kilometres from Guwahati. In a rare departure from tradition, Zubeen’s sister, Palme Borthakur, performed the mukhagni ritual, lighting the funeral pyre of her brother. She was joined by Arun Garg and Rahul Gautam Sarma in giving the last fire. The decision to have his sister lead the final rites reflected the family’s deep bond with the artiste, who was widely known for challenging conventions in both his life and work. Four chandals—Dhritimala Deka, Jayanta Baruah, Lalit Nath, and Hiranya Das—also participated in the ceremonies, lending their hands in conducting the rituals. This inclusive arrangement, with the presence of a woman among the chandals, further underscored Zubeen’s lifelong advocacy for progressive values and equality.
The final journey began from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at Sarusajai, where Zubeen’s mortal remains had been kept for three days. Throughout this period, an unending stream of fans, admirers, and cultural leaders queued up to pay their last respects. From young schoolchildren carrying flowers to elderly admirers weeping silently, the complex transformed into a space of collective mourning for a man who defined modern Assamese music. Before the procession, a post-mortem examination was carried out at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) by a specialised team of four doctors drawn from GMCH, Pragjyotishpur Medical College, and AIIMS. Senior officials from the Health Department, district administration, and Assam Police supervised the procedure. The coffin was then prepared for its final journey, with his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, accompanying the body in the ambulance, while government representatives remained by her side. A separate bus carried other family members and close relatives. To ensure order and safety, authorities prohibited private vehicles from joining the procession.
At Kamarkuchi, pallbearers from Assam Police carried the coffin from the national highway to the cremation site. A ceremonial gun salute was accorded to the singer, recognising his immense contribution to Assam’s cultural life. Priests then conducted the concluding rituals as a sea of mourners watched in silence.The day was marked by an official shutdown across Assam. All educational institutions remained closed, and government offices in Kamrup Metro district suspended work. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced restrictions on vehicular movement till 4 pm but allowed citizens to stand by the roadside to pay their tributes. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju represented Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ceremony. Several other dignitaries, including the Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, the Leader of Opposition, representatives of Assam Sahitya Sabha, leaders of All Assam Students’ Union, and former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, were present.
Amid the grief, the Chief Minister also issued a strong warning against any attempts to disturb public order or force shop closures after 2 pm. Authorities confirmed that video evidence had been collected of earlier incidents, including a confrontation outside a pharmacy on Zoo Road, and assured that arrests would follow. For ordinary citizens, however, the focus was on remembering the man who gave them songs of hope, protest, and love. At Sarusajai, people stood in long queues through the night and early morning, waiting for one last glimpse. Many broke down as the coffin was carried out, while others sang his popular songs in unison, turning the farewell into a collective act of remembrance.