Zubeen Garg unites religiously torn Assam through his life and death
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Guwahati: Zubeen Garg death on September 19 near Lazarus Island in Singapore where he was due to perform sent shockwaves in Assam with thousands coming out to mourn their beloved singer’s passing.
The 52-year-old artist delved deep into the minds of the people so much so that many found solace in his voice to forget the drudgery of daily life, according to Aljazeera citing the story of a truck driver Imam Hussain.
Garg was to participate at the Northeast India Festival celebrating the art and culture of the Indian region when hours before he died by drowning.
The cult-like status he enjoyed among millions of fans brought people across society together in mourning, according to the report.
The massive outpouring of grief showed his appeal crossing all divisions in the state with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, among others, joining in mourning.
‘He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music,’ Modi reportedly said in a condolence message, adding ‘His renditions were very popular among people across all walks of life.’
Sarma was quoted as saying: ‘Zubeen’s voice had an unmatched ability to energise people, and his music spoke directly to our minds and souls. He has left a void that will never be filled’.
Alongside Sarma going to receive Garg’s mortal remains, the state government announced four days of state mourning.
When his body was brought to the main airport in Guwahati, an ocean of humanity flowed in to have a glimpse their favourite singer.
Thousands, singing his songs and holding his posters, followed the convoy that was carrying Garg’s body to a stadium some 30 kilometres away.
People coming out in their thousands to mourn the singer was according to the report a break from ‘the religious and linguistic fractures that have deepened in Assam in recent years.
This outpouring unity has taken place against the backdrop of the fault lines between indigenous Assamese-speaking and migrant Bengali-speaking communities.