Zubeen Garg funeral: Final rites of Assam’s beloved singer held with full state honours, thousands in attendance

A massive figure in Assam’s cultural realm, Zubeen passed away in Singapore on September 19, where he had arrived to take part in the North East India Festival. His body reached Guwahati on the morning of September 21 and was kept at the sports complex for fans to pay their final tributes.

On Tuesday morning, Zubeen’s body underwent a second post-mortem examination at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), after which the mortal remains were brought back to the sports complex. According to news agency PTI, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the complex before the singer’s body was taken to the hospital for the autopsy.

“There has been a demand from the public that an autopsy should happen in Assam as well. In Singapore, they are non-biased. They don’t know any of us. So, a post-mortem in a place like Singapore is actually a form of a blessing because no one can accuse them of being motivated or involved. But suddenly, since this morning, there has been a new demand… We want to conduct this process as the public wants,” Sarma told reporters on Monday. The decision to carry out the second autopsy was made after discussions with his wife, Garima Saikia Garg.

Thousands gather at the cremation ground in Kamarkuchi NC village. (Credit: DIPR)

Zubeen’s wife Garima Saikia Garg at the cremation ground. (Credit: DIPR)

Zubeen Garg’s funeral was held on Tuesday. (Credit: DIPR)

Fans gather to pay homage to singer-composer Zubeen Garg in Guwahati. (Credit: AP, file)

Garima Saikia Garg, wife of Zubeen, with their pets during Zubeen’s tribute programme. (Credit: PTI, file)

Garima Saikia Garg mourns the loss of her husband. (Credit: ANI, file)

Grieving fans pay their last respects to Zubeen Garg at Sarusajai stadium. (Credit: PTI, file)

“Personally, after a post-mortem in Singapore, cutting the body again is not something I am very supportive of. But since there is a demand from the public, and if we don’t do a post-mortem, many will keep raising new questions on social media,” the CM added.

In an illustrious career spanning over three decades, he sang 38,000 songs in 40 languages and dialects, winning the hearts of music lovers worldwide. The sea of fans who made a beeline to see him one last time stands as a testament to Zubeen’s indelible legacy and the profound impact he had on people. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, representing the Central government, also paid his tributes to Zubeen.