‘Jai Zubeen Da’: Assam Bids Tearful Farewell As ‘Ya Ali’ Singer’s Body Reaches Guwahati
A wave of profound grief swept across Assam on Sunday as the mortal remains of cultural icon and singer Zubeen Garg arrived in Guwahati . Thousands of emotional fans packed the streets outside the airport, singing his beloved songs and chanting “Jai Zubeen da” in a final, heart-wrenching concert for the voice that defined a generation. The singer, 52, tragically passed away in Singapore on Friday after reportedly suffering a seizure while swimming .
His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, accompanied by state officials, received the casket at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport as the flower-decked ambulance began its slow journey through a sea of grieving admirers . Leading the solemn procession was Zubeen’s favourite open jeep, now carrying a giant portrait of the singer, with his bandmates standing by his side for one last ride. In a mark of deep respect, senior police officials, including the DGP, walked ahead of the vehicle to clear the path .
The singer’s body was first taken to his residence in Kahilipara for his family, including his 85-year-old father, to pay their private respects . From there, the convoy proceeded to the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at Sarusajai, where thousands, many of whom had been waiting since the previous night, queued up to pay homage. The Assam government has made arrangements for the public to pay their last respects at the stadium from 9 am to 7 pm .
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who, along with Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, had received Zubeen’s body in Delhi before it was flown to Guwahati, announced that the state cabinet would meet on Sunday evening to decide the venue for the final rites . The state has also declared a three-day period of mourning . While best known nationally for his soulful Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster, Zubeen Garg was a versatile and prolific artist who recorded over 38,000 songs in more than 40 languages, leaving behind an indelible legacy in Indian music .
