Assam Remembers Zubeen Garg With Statue, 20-Kg Cake and Songs on His 53rd Birthday

Assam on Tuesday witnessed an emotional day of remembrance as people across the state paid tribute to their beloved cultural legend, Zubeen Garg, on what would have been his 53rd birthday. From political parties and student organizations to fan clubs and cultural bodies, tributes poured in through musical gatherings, memorial ceremonies, and acts of community service, reflecting the deep admiration and affection the late singer commanded.

The celebrations began at midnight outside Garg’s Kahilipara residence, where hundreds of fans gathered to sing his songs and cut a cake in his memory. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and sister, Palmee Borthakur, were present as admirers lit candles and played his music late into the night. On Tuesday morning, the mood turned poignant as a 20-kg cake was brought to his home and a life-size statue of Zubeen Garg was unveiled by his father, Kapil Borthakur, and his wife. The moment moved many to tears, and chants of “Zubeen Amar Rahe” echoed through the crowd.

Throughout the day, tributes continued at Zubeen Kshetra, the site of his cremation, where fans laid flowers, draped gamosas, and performed spontaneous musical tributes. Social media was flooded with nostalgic posts and old concert clips, as admirers shared personal memories of the singer whose voice shaped Assamese identity for decades. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma paid homage with a heartfelt message, saying, “Some presence fades from sight but shines brighter in memory. Today, we honour the enduring legacy of an artist who was, will and forever be our heartthrob.”

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Political and cultural organizations also joined in paying tribute. The ruling BJP marked the day by organising 53 blood donation camps across Assam, symbolizing every year of the singer’s life. The Opposition Congress announced a cultural programme titled Kanchanjunga Sanskriti Houk Maitreyir Mantra at Panjabari, dedicated to honouring Garg’s contributions and reiterating its demand for clarity surrounding the circumstances of his untimely death in September. APCC president Gaurav Gogoi is scheduled to attend the memorial. Members of the Gauhati Press Club also paid floral tribute, recalling Garg’s immense influence across music, cinema, and Assamese literature.

Born in Tura, Meghalaya, on November 18, 1972, Zubeen Garg rose to fame for his soulful voice and genre-defining contributions to Assamese and Hindi music. His sudden death in Singapore on September 19 this year, while attending the North East India Festival, left millions of fans grieving. Yet, the massive turnout at his birthday commemorations shows that his music and spirit continue to resonate deeply — a living reminder of how one man’s art can become the heartbeat of an entire state.

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