The body of popular Assamese singer and music star Zubeen Garg landed in Guwahati on Sunday, sending the state into a deep state of mourning. Thousands of admirers and well-wishers came to the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex and lined the streets to say goodbye to the musician, who sadly died in Singapore.
Heartbreaking pictures from the city show a huge throng throwing flowers on the ambulance that was carrying the singer’s body. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, gave the most moving tribute. In a viral video, she can be seen putting her hands on her husband’s glass casket at their home in Guwahati. The family had asked for a little, private time with the singer before his body was taken to the stadium for the public to see.
In a critical clarification, Garima Saikia Garg and the people in charge of the event said that Zubeen Garg’s death was not caused by a scuba diving mishap, as was first reported. They made it clear that the singer died too soon because he had a seizure while swimming on a yacht excursion in Singapore. The government of Assam has subsequently proclaimed a three-day state of mourning and said they would look into the death.
The tributes also talked about Zubeen Garg’s legacy as a talented Indian performer who sang in more than 40 languages. He was a cultural icon known for his Bollywood song “Ya Ali.” His death has left a big hole in the world. The Assam Cabinet is set to convene later today to decide where he would be cremated. It will probably be in or near Guwahati so that his sick 85-year-old father can be there.