By Paramita Datta
Many fans flocked to the streets of Guwahati on September 21 to say goodbye to the legendary Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, leaving the city in a state of mourning. The city was turned into a sea of grief by the enormous gathering, which brought people from all over Assam and beyond to pay tribute to the beloved person. Together with the notable tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis, and Michael Jackson, Zubeen’s farewell event became the fourth-largest public gathering in the world. Like the poignant farewells for these notable figures, Garg’s funeral was recognized by the Limca Book of Records as the fourth-largest public gathering in the world. With his captivating personality, Garg won the respect of people all over the world.
He played a key role in introducing the state’s music tastes and film, and introduced it to audiences around the world. The drowning death of Zubeen, a well-known Assamese singer and Bollywood playback artist in Singapore on September 19, 2025, is presently under investigation. He was 52 years old. He drowned, according to the death certificate issued by the Singapore High Commission. The Assamese government is waiting for the autopsy report to provide more details. The Assam government has declared a four-day state mourning period, which includes the day of his funeral on September 23, to honor his enormous influence on music and culture. Zubeen Garg will receive full state recognition at his cremation in Kamarkuchi, NC village near Guwahati, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The streets of Guwahati were crowded with distraught fans, and daily activities came to a complete stop as a result of the widespread grief. Flowers, quiet prayers, and heartfelt music filled the air as the funeral procession inspired genuine respect from everyone in the vicinity. Every area of the city expressed something profound.
More than just a playback singer, Zubeen Garg made a big impact on Bollywood, especially with hits like Ya Ali from Gangster (2006), and he linked Assamese music to India’s larger cultural identity. His ashes will be taken to Jorhat, where a second memorial honoring his relationship with the ancient town will be built. Advocates demanded that his remains be transported to the town where he was raised on Sunday, September 21, and blocked the national highway in Jorhat for hours. As per the report, according to the Assam Chief Minister, the body was taken to Guwahati for cremation as its condition made it impractical to transport it to Jorhat.
Zubeen Garg’s departure has created a gap in the music industry, yet his contributions will be honored and cherished for years to come.