Zubeen Garg: Thousands mourn iconic Assamese singer as state prepares for cremation with honours
Fans and officials memorialize the late singer with state honours planned for his farewell, while a second autopsy is conducted in a major development.
Hundreds of thousands gathered in Guwahati, the capital of Assam, to mourn the death of singer-composer Zubeen Garg, who drowned on Sept. 19 in Singapore where he had gone to perform at a live concert. Garg, 52, was a cultural icon in Assam, singing in more than 40 languages and dialects in a career spanning 33 years. His cremation is planned for Tuesday with state honours after a second autopsy is conducted to rule out foul play, Assam's chief minister said. The state declared three days of mourning, and politicians, musicians and fans from across the region traveled to Guwahati to pay their last respects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Garg on X, saying he would be remembered for his "rich contribution to music".
Garg's rise to stardom began in his late teens. His first music album, Anamika, released in 1992, became an instant chartbuster. By 2000, he had expanded into acting and directing with the Assamese film Tumi Mor Matho Mor, pushing his fame to new heights. His versatility allowed him to sing rock numbers as well as regional folk styles such as Bihu, Borgeet and Zikir, appealing to generations across Assam. His Hindi-language track Ya Ali from the 2006 film Gangster brought him national recognition and added to his broad appeal. Alongside his music, Garg cultivated a public persona as a fashion-forward star who drew large crowds at Bihu concerts, solidifying his status as a symbol of Assam's contemporary culture.
Fans and colleagues described him as fearless and generous. He used his platform to aid others, including funding medical care, school admissions and weddings for people in need. He publicly condemned violence by separatist groups and frequently spoke out on social issues, though he never joined any political party. In 2019, he played a notable role in mobilising people against a citizenship law perceived as discriminatory. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Garg offered his apartment to the government for use as an isolation centre. In 2024, he joined residents in protests against the government over a flyover project that involved tree-cutting.
As the mourning period begins, authorities have organized state honours for his cremation after the second autopsy is completed. Garg's body arrived in Guwahati on Sept. 21, and crowds greeted the transport as fans and family prepared for the farewell. Three days of mourning were declared by the state, with officials saying the tributes would reflect Garg's impact on the region's music and culture. Fans have organized tribute sessions across towns and districts, with clubs and associations taking charge of arrangements.
Around the country, messages of condolence highlighted Garg's contributions to music and his willingness to speak his mind on social issues. Modi's statement on X described Garg as a prolific artist whose work touched many lives. The outpouring reflected how deeply Garg's music resonated beyond Assam's borders, making him one of the most influential cultural figures in the Northeast.
His death marks the end of an era for Assamese pop culture, as fans reflect on Garg's wide-ranging repertoire—from Bihu staples to soulful ballads and rock-inspired tracks—and the ways his artistry intersected with politics and social movements. The tributes and the long queues at funeral sites across Assam demonstrated the breadth of his appeal, cutting across generations and communities.
