The Assam Sahitya Sabha and the citizens of Jorhat have strongly appealed for the last rites of popular singer and Assam’s pride, Zubeen Garg, to be performed in his hometown of Jorhat. At a press conference held at the Sabha headquarters, Sabha President Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami described Zubeen as “a bright star fallen from the Assamese sky” and said that his passing has left millions of fans in shock. He said, “Zubeen was a man who lived a truly independent life. He was a strong advocate of equality and dedicated his entire life to selfless service to humanity. His memory will resonate in the land, water, and sky of Assam as long as the state exists.”
Zubeen was deeply connected to Jorhat
Dr. Goswami linked Zubeen Garg’s roots to Jorhat, explaining that his ancestral village was in Jaji Tamulichiga, and later his family settled in Bangalpukhuri, where he completed his schooling and higher education. He said, “Zubeen began his musical career at the Bangalpukhuri Puja Mandir. He was primarily identified as a son of Jorhat. Therefore, his final resting place should be Jorhat.”
Land Offered for Funeral
According to reports, the Assam Agricultural University has offered land for Zubeen Garg’s funeral. Jorhat MLA Hitendranath Goswami inspected several potential sites in the city, including five bighas of land near the bypass. He has also informed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about the matter. Citing an example, Dr. Goswami said that just as cultural icon Jyotiprasad Aggarwala was cremated at his native place, building Zubeen Garg’s samadhi in Jorhat would be a historic and symbolic decision. He said, “This will not only honor Zubeen but also prove that the cultural pulse of Assam extends beyond Guwahati to the entire state.”
Jorhat’s Emotional Farewell
Meanwhile, the city of Jorhat is shrouded in deep mourning. People are paying tribute to Zubeen by lighting lamps and observing silence in front of his photographs at midnight. Markets and transport services have spontaneously shut down, expressing the city’s collective grief. The echo is that Jorhat wants its beloved son back home for his final journey. If Zubeen Garg’s funeral is held in Jorhat, it will not only immortalize his memory but also establish him as a cultural heritage for generations to come.
