By Mahbubul Hoque
When Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on the 19thSeptember’2025, Assam lost not just an iconic singer but a part of its very soul. His untimely death reawakened something profound within the Assamese soul — that eternal spirit of brotherhood, compassion, and communal harmony which has long defined the land of Srimanta Sankardeva and Peer Ajan Fakir.For centuries, Assam has been a land where peace, tolerance, and coexistence thrived; where music, faith, and humanity walked hand in hand.In recent years, that harmony had begun to fade. Divisive politics and growing social fragmentation had created invisible walls between communities. But, when Zubeen Garg left this world, those divisions dissolved in an instant and people of every faith became one united family & regenerated Assam with one call #JusticeforZubeenGarg. Through silent tears Assam rediscovered its old soul, the soul of harmony & brotherhood.
Who was Zubeen Garg – a singer, a musician, cultural icon or a humanist? He was all in one. Zubeen Garg exemplifies not only a unique fusion of artistry and cultural devotion,but also social commitment. A versatile singer, composer, lyricist, music director, actor, and filmmaker, he has contributed immensely to society as a humanist and a socialist through his philanthropy, activism, and youth engagement. Music was his language, but humanity was his purpose. He was more a humanist than merely a singer. Through his songs, words, and fearless way of living, he became the voice of the people — a symbol of freedom, truth, and equality.
Zubeen Garg was the latest torchbearer in Assam’s long and glorious cultural tradition — one that has always used art as a bridge, not a barrier.From Srimanta Sankardeva and Sri Sri Madhabdeva, who spread messages of spirituality and equality through Borgeet and Naam-Kirtan, to Peer Ajan Fakir, who sang of peace and brotherhood in his soulful Zikirs, Assam’s culture has long celebrated unity in diversity. Later, icons like Lakshminath Bezbaroa, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Bishnu Prasad Rabha, and Bhupen Hazarika carried that message forward through literature, theatre, and music. Zubeen also belonged to that same sacred lineage — fearless, creative, and deeply humane. For him, art was not mere entertainment; it was a tool to awaken hearts and unite people. His songs, words, and actions reflected compassion, courage, and togetherness — the very essence of Assamese identity.
For over three decades, Zubeen was the heartbeat of Assam’s music and emotion. The news of his death stunned millions. When the news reached home, the state came to a standstill. Shops closed, streets fell silent, and people everywhere wept as if they had lost a family member. The procession from LGBI Airport to Sarusajai stadium drew one of the largest gatherings of mourners ever seen — lakhs of people from distant villages and busy towns filled the streets of Guwahati, Sarusajai, and Kamarkuchi, his final resting place. It was estimated that both the procession & funeral drew one of the largest crowds, said to be the fourth largest funeral crowd in the world.
What made Zubeen so deeply loved was not just his music but his humanity. Beyond being a singer, composer, or filmmaker, he was admired for his fearless voice, childlike honesty, simplicity, love for people, and pride in Assam’s culture and heritage. Behind his flamboyant public persona was a man with a tender heart — someone who felt others’ pain deeply and helped quietly, without any publicity.
Zubeen’s love for nature was another defining part of his life. He adored the hills, rivers, trees and animals as family members. Despite his success in Bollywood, he chose to return to Assam to live close to nature and his own people. Protecting the environment was his passion. When the government once planned to cut down old trees around Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati, Zubeen rushed to the site and protested fearlessly. People joined him, and the trees were saved. That was Zubeen — a man who stood firm for what he believed in, whether for music, people, or nature.
Zubeen Garg became the voice of the voiceless. He spoke openly and boldly on issues that others avoided. He questioned corruption, intolerance, and injustice. He was never afraid to speak his mind, even when it invited controversy. In an age when most celebrities carefully choose their words to protect their image, Zubeen spoke from the heart. He used to say “Politics nokoribabondhu”- it was Zubeen Garg who could challenge whenever needed. That courage made people love him even more, because they saw in him a reflection of their own anger, frustration, and hope.
Despite his fame, Zubeen remained surprisingly grounded. He walked the streets of Guwahati freely, ate at roadside stalls, and chatted with fans as if they were old friends. He built no walls around himself. People called him “Zubeen da” — not as a celebrity, but as a brother. That intimacy made his death feel like a personal loss to millions.
Zubeen Garg has often emphasised the transformative power of education and knowledge. He said, “Kitap nopohajatikgamochaibosabonuare”, i.e., Gamocha can’t save a community without reading habit. He wanted to express that the true strength of a community lies not only in preserving its cultural symbols but also in nurturing an educated and enlightened generation. He believes that reading books opens the mind, broadens perspectives, and empowers individuals to bring meaningful change to society. For Zubeen, real respect for one’s culture comes through understanding, critical thinking, and creativity — all of which are fostered by the habit of reading.
Zubeen rose above caste, religion, and sect. He often said, “I have no god, no religion, no caste — I am free. I am Kanchenjunga.” Perhaps he might have said it out of deep frustration, seeing the divisiveness in society in the recent past. It was his way of saying that true divinity lies in kindness, honesty, and love for all – the doctrines that all religions preach. In his death, that message became even stronger. For the first time in Assam’s history, priests, maulanas, and monks stood together at his funeral and offered prayers.At Kamarkuchi in Sonapur, where he was cremated, people continue to gather every day to pay their respects. His song- “Mayabini…” has become like a prayer of all people, irrespective of caste and religion.‘Zubeen Kshetra’ in Sonapurhas already become a new destination of unity and faith- a place of pilgrimage leading to a new Assam.
Zubeen Garg’s life — and even his mysterious death — has given birth to a new way of thinking, a philosophy that goes beyond religion. He showed that true religion lies not in rituals or dogmas but in kindness, compassion, and human connection. In a world increasingly divided by belief and identity, Zubeen’s life reminds us that love for humanity itself can be the greatest form of worship and faith leading to universal peace, harmony & coexistence.
Zubeen Garg was not just an artist; he was an institution. His life deserves to be studied, his philosophy to be understood. Scholars, thinkers, and social scientists across the world should recognise Zubeen Garg as one of the great humanists of our time. From his creativity, life and philosophy, one can frame ‘Zubeen’s Principles of Creativity, Humanism and Coexistence’ which can be stated as “Explore creativity to connect the people, spread care, love, and empathy to unite people in establishing harmonious society where people can fearlessly speak out for their rights and justice in the light of principle of humanism and socialism”.
Definitely, Zubeen Garg will not be a passing phenomenon. His life, work, and philosophy will continue to shape the social and cultural spirit of Assam for generations to come. It is not the length of years but the light of life that matters. Zubeen Garg died young, and he truly shone and spread fragrance like a lily in Ben Jonson’s verse:‘It is not growing like a tree ‘
“….
Although it fall and die that night—
It was the plant and flower of Light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.”
Zubeen Garg’s words and life will echo in the heart of Assam forever.
We should try to understand the inherent meanings of his music, song, voice & philosophy. Every family, stakeholders, organizations, institutions can dedicate something in the memory of beloved Zubeen Garg to keep him alive everywhere and inspire generations.
(The writer is the Chancellor of the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya)
