Shillong, Mar 27: The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) Regional Campus Shillong concluded a two-day national seminar to explore and discuss late singer Zubeen Garg’s influence on art and society.
Sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR-NERC), the seminar – ‘Society and Culture in Art and Philosophy of Life: Understanding the Cultural Praxis and Epoch-making of Zubeen Garg and the North-East India’ –transformed into a shared cultural space where memory, music, identity and emotion converged to celebrate the life, work and legacy of Zubeen Garg.
The seminar featured diverse sessions discussing various themes, including the sonic politics of music and how Garg’s work relates to cultural memory. It explored music as a form of resistance, emotional democracy and a builder of shared emotional spaces.
Special talks focused on the intersection of ecology, nature and identity, as well as the continuing relevance of other cultural figures like Bhupen Hazarika, Jayanta Hazarika and Bishnu Rabha.
A keynote lecture by filmmaker Parthajit Baruah urged the audience to perceive Zubeen Garg as a cinematic text, presenting the artist as a powerful visual and cultural presence who shapes the representation of the Northeast.
EFLU Shillong Director Prof. Mousumi Guha Banerjee highlighted how Zubeen Garg’s music transcends boundaries and brings people together, while reflecting on the profound and dynamic nature of art and culture in the Northeast.
Vice Chancellor Prof. N. Nagaraju stressed on the importance of understanding the cultural implications of music in the region and expressing support for similar future academic engagements.
The event culminated in a poignant valedictory session, celebrating Garg’s deep emotional connection with his people and his lasting legacy in the realm of identity and belonging.
