Assam’s Final Farewell: Zubeen Garg’s Funeral Proceeds After Second Post-Mortem in Guwahati
Guwahati : Assam’s cultural heartbeat fell silent today as the state united in grief to bid adieu to Zubeen Garg, the beloved singer whose soulful voice defined generations. Garg, 52, met a tragic end on September 19 in Singapore, drowning while swimming without a life jacket—a fact corroborated by the death certificate from the Singapore High Commission, as confirmed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In a poignant culmination of mourning, Garg’s mortal remains were transported from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati to the cremation ground in Kamarkuchi village, Sonapur, for a state funeral. The procession, commencing around 8 a.m., proceeded without private vehicles, with a dedicated bus ferrying family members, including Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, alongside government officials. Schools, colleges, and government offices in Kamrup (Metro) district shuttered their doors, enabling citizens to join the solemn tribute.
Preparations at the Kamarkuchi site intensified overnight, with Chief Minister Sarma personally inspecting the arrangements on Monday. “Ahead of the final goodbye to Zubeen, I inspected the cremation site and took stock of the preparations,” he posted on X, underscoring the meticulous planning for the last rites. Thousands of fans had converged at the sports complex over the preceding days, forming long queues to glimpse their icon one final time. Many were overcome with emotion; one devotee told ANI, “What do I even say? I don’t have words to speak. The entire state is grieving. Ever since we heard the news, all of us have been crying. It was a shock for everyone. He was loved by all. May his soul rest in peace.” Another, tears streaming, added, “It is a sad moment. He was a good human being. We are just speechless.”
Central to today’s proceedings was the completion of a second post-mortem on Garg’s body at Guwahati Medical College Hospital, a step taken in response to public demands. Although an initial autopsy had been performed in Singapore—where Garg was attending the Northeast India Festival—Sarma addressed the media on Monday to clarify the distinction between the death certificate and a full post-mortem report. “The Singapore High Commission sent the death certificate of Zubeen Garg, and they mentioned the cause of death is drowning. But this is not a post-mortem report. The post-mortem report is different, and the death certificate is different,” he explained. He noted that the Chief Secretary was coordinating with the Singapore Ambassador to secure the original report, while documents would be forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The decision for the additional examination in Guwahati stemmed from discussions between Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Garima Saikia Garg, ensuring it unfolded under the supervision of AIIMS doctors. This procedure, finalized early Tuesday, cleared the path for the funeral, allowing the body to return briefly to the sports complex before the journey to Kamarkuchi.
Sarma’s tributes resonated deeply, capturing the irreplaceable void left behind. On Tuesday, he joined well-wishers at Sarusajai Stadium, later sharing on X: “A few hours left before #BelovedZubeen begins his final journey. A short while ago, I joined his well-wishers at Sarusajai Stadium to pay my tributes. The last 2 days symbolised the love he commands over people. There will never be another Zubeen.” The chief minister also announced two state-backed memorials in Garg’s honor, a lasting nod to his legacy.
Garg’s remains had arrived in Assam via Delhi after the Singapore tragedy, initially mistaken by some reports as a scuba diving mishap before Sarma’s clarification. As flames rose at the cremation site, Assam reflected on a life that wove Assamese pride into every melody, leaving an indelible mark on its soul.