Thousands of grieving fans thronged Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on Monday, September 22, 2025, to pay their last respects to Assam’s cultural icon, Zubeen Garg. The 52-year-old singer, whose untimely death in Singapore on Friday, September 19, sent shockwaves across the Northeast, lay in a glass casket draped with a traditional Assamese gamosa, drawing an overwhelming outpouring of love and grief.
Fans began queuing through the night, waiting hours under the scorching sun to catch a final glimpse of the beloved singer. Many offered flowers and gamosas, while others recorded the emotional farewell on their mobile phones. Despite the intense heat, hundreds of mourners sang Garg’s iconic songs outside the stadium, refusing to leave even after paying tribute. Medical teams treated several people who fell ill from the heat and fatigue.
Prominent personalities, including singer Papon, joined the throngs of mourners, many visibly breaking down as they bowed before ‘Zubeen da’. Garg’s wife, Garima, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the “overwhelming love and blessings” shown by fans.
The singer’s mortal remains had reached Guwahati on Sunday, September 21, from Singapore, where he tragically drowned while swimming. His body was first taken to his residence at Kahilipara, with thousands lining the 25-km stretch from the airport to pay homage. Crowds had already begun gathering at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Sarusajai from Saturday evening, swelling into lakhs by Sunday, braving both heavy rains and heat to mourn their beloved star.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma personally inspected the site of Garg’s cremation at Kamarkuchi NC village in the Sonapur revenue circle near Guwahati on Sunday night. “All necessary works like earth filling and boundary preparation will be completed to preserve the sanctity of the place,” he said in a post on X, adding that his officers would work through the night to prepare the site.
The cabinet had decided to cremate Zubeen Garg at Kamarkuchi in accordance with the family’s wishes for a final resting place in or near Guwahati. There had also been demands from the people of Jorhat, where the singer spent his formative years, that the cremation be held there. Garg will be cremated with full state honours on Tuesday, September 23, with heavy vehicle movement on the adjacent highway restricted to ensure smooth proceedings.
The State Government had initially declared a three-day mourning period until September 22, which has now been extended to coincide with the day of the cremation. Fans and admirers from across Assam and neighboring states continue to arrive in Guwahati to pay tribute to the singer whose contributions to Assamese music and culture made him a household name.
Zubeen Garg’s sudden passing has left a void in the cultural landscape of Assam. Known for his versatility across genres, his soulful voice, and his unwavering connection with his audience, Garg’s legacy is celebrated not just for music but for the profound influence he had on generations of Assamese youth. As the state prepares to bid its final farewell, the outpouring of grief underscores the deep bond between the singer and the people he inspired.
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