Zubeen Garg, a noted vocalist, died on September 19. Days following his death, his final podcast with novelist-author Rita Chowdhury went viral, in which he made several personal confessions about his life and prophesied how his home state of Assam would grieve him.
Here`s what Zubeen Garg had predicted
Recalling his years in Mumbai, Zubeen said, “I stayed in Mumbai for 12 years, I got bored of the city life. People ask me why I don`t live in Mumbai? I said, `A king should never leave his kingdom. There is no king there. When Lata Mangeshkar died, did they do anything? No. When Rajesh Khanna died, there was just news – Rajesh Khanna died. There is no king. But if I die here in Assam, Assam will remain closed for 7 days.`”
He further shared by saying, “I live like that, so they are scared. They don`t call me because they are afraid I will scold them. Rohit Shetty called me to sing a song for his film, but I said, `No, I didn`t like it. I won`t come.` Rohit was like, `What kind of man is he?` Pritam said, `He is like this. He is a king. He lives like that.` If you have work, come here to Assam. I will not go.”
Zubeen`s demise left the whole state numb
Following the death of Zubeen Garg, the Assam government declared three days of official mourning from September 20 to September 22, suspending all official entertainment, public festivities, and ceremonial events. September 22 and 23 were also declared dry days throughout the state, with liquor stores remaining closed as a show of respect.
Garg was cremated with full state honours on Tuesday in Kamarkuchi, located on the outskirts of Guwahati. Thousands of fans gathered to say goodbye to the singer, many of whom broke down as his funeral rites were administered. Palme Borthakur, Garg`s sister, lit the funeral pyre, while Garima Saikia, his wife, was seen in tears.
Zubeen Garg`s mortal remains were kept at the Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Sarusajai, where fans and well-wishers may pay their condolences.
Huge masses gathered at the venue when the Chief Minister announced the plan. Following the turnout, CM Sarma later stated that the stadium will be open all night.
Assam CM took to his X handle, “More and more people wish to see our beloved Zubeen one last time, and we deeply understand these sentiments. Therefore, Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium will remain open throughout the night today for the public to pay their respects to Zubeen. Tomorrow also, the mortal remains of Zubeen will be kept at Sarusajai for people to offer their homage.”
Who was Zubeen Garg?
Zubeen Garg was a prominent cultural icon in Assam, noted for his Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi songs. He soared to national prominence with the smash single Ya Ali from the film Gangster and went on to perform several other successful songs, including Dil Tu Hi Bataa from Krrish 3.
Garg had also worked actively in Assamese cinema as a singer, actor, and director. Kanchanjunga, Mission China, Dinabandhu, and Mon Jai were among his most successful works.
near 2022, he had a mild head injury after falling unconscious at a resort near Dibrugarh. He was then transported to Guwahati by air ambulance and treated at a private super-specialty hospital.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will look into Zubeen Garg`s tragic death. Taking to X, he wrote: “In regard to the untimely death of our beloved Zubeen Garg, we will not spare anyone. Today, I had a meeting with the DGP Assam Police and the ADGP, CID, along with senior officers including the Chief Secretary of Assam. I have instructed the DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with the best officers of Assam Police.”
He further stated that viscera samples will be transferred to the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFL) in Delhi for further investigation. “The SIT will have full freedom to investigate the case with complete professional integrity,” the chief magistrate announced.
Previously, the state government barred Syamkanu Mahanta, the principal organizer of the Northeast India Festival in Singapore, where Garg was set to play, from staging any events or festivals in Assam.
