Assam Bids Farewell to Beloved Rockstar Zubeen Garg with His Favourite Song

Assam Bids Emotional Farewell to Zubeen Garg with His Favourite Song ‘Mayabini’

“When I die, Assam should sing this song,” Zubeen Garg once said about ‘Mayabini’, from the 2001 Assamese film Daag. On Tuesday, his wish came true. As the state’s beloved “rockstar” was cremated with full state honours and a 21-gun salute, thousands of grieving fans sang ‘Mayabini’ in unison, turning his farewell into an unforgettable chorus of love.

Zubeen’s final rites were performed at Kamarkuchi on the outskirts of Guwahati after a second autopsy confirmed no foul play in his sudden death in Singapore on September 19. A cultural icon whose music transcended languages and generations, his passing has left Assam in mourning.

Massive Turnout for Last Journey

Under the blazing sun, thousands joined the funeral procession as his body was carried from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to the cremation ground. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Speaker Biswajit Daimary, and former CM Sarbananda Sonowal were among the dignitaries who paid their respects.

Zubeen’s four beloved dogs — Iko, Diya, Rambo and Maya — were also brought by his family to bid him goodbye. The scenes reflected the deep personal connection he shared with his fans, who affectionately called him Zubeen Da.

At the cremation ground, his wife Garima Saikia Garg stood by the pyre in tears, clad in a traditional mekhela chador. His sister Palme Borthakur and protégé Rahul Gautam lit the funeral pyre as mourners broke into ‘Mayabini’, celebrating the voice that shaped Assam’s musical soul.

A Legend Beyond Borders

Even a day before the funeral, tens of thousands lined the 25-km stretch from the airport to his residence to catch a last glimpse as his body arrived from Singapore.

Born in Meghalaya, Zubeen rose to prominence in Assam in the early 1990s and went on to sing in more than 40 languages. His nationwide breakthrough came with “Ya Ali” from the 2006 Bollywood film Gangster, cementing his place as one of India’s most versatile and loved playback singers.

For Assam, however, Zubeen was more than a singer — he was a symbol of identity, pride, and cultural unity. On Tuesday, the chorus of ‘Mayabini’ at his farewell ensured that his voice will echo across generations.