Thirty-seven days after Assam’s beloved cultural icon Zubeen Garg was cremated, his ashes were immersed in the mighty Brahmaputra on Wednesday, as his wife Garima Garg and close family members wept during the solemn ritual.
A special ferry carrying Garima, Garg’s sister Palme Borthakur, relatives, and friends sailed from Lachit Ghat towards midstream in Guwahati, where the final rites were performed. Two earthen pots containing the singer’s ashes were lowered into the river by Garima, who was seen sobbing inconsolably as chants filled the air.
Following the immersion, Garima poured her heart out on X in Assamese, writing, “Assam's land, sky, wind and now the vast Brahmaputra... You are the only one in the hearts of people and nature.” She added, “See you again one day soon... I'll talk about reincarnation, I'll write new stories for you and me. But now, we need to know what really happened to you on that cursed day. #JusticeForZubeenGarg.”
The late singer’s close associate Arun Garg, regarded as a family member and among those who lit his funeral pyre, performed a similar ritual in Jorhat, Garg’s hometown.
Also read: Assam Police in Singapore to probe Zubeen Garg’s death
Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most adored voices and a towering figure in the region’s cultural landscape, died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. He was visiting the island nation to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival.
His death sent shockwaves through Assam and the wider Northeast. When his body was brought home, thousands of grief-stricken fans lined the streets, singing his songs as his cortege passed.
The singer was cremated with full state honours at Kamarkuchi village in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, on September 23. Over ten lakh people reportedly turned up to pay their final respects at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, where his body had been kept for public homage.
Garg’s passing continues to stir deep emotion across Assam, with his music, activism, and cultural legacy remaining etched in the hearts of millions who still seek answers about his sudden death.
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