Emotional Assam unites to honour Zubeen Garg on his 53rd birthday
Since Monday night, fans have been flocking to Garg’s Kahilipara house, where a bust was unveiled on Tuesday morning
The bust of the icon unveiled at his Kahilipara home, on Tuesday. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, Nov 18: The 53rd birth anniversary of Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg was observed across the state on Tuesday, with several organisations, including political parties, holding a series of programmes in his honour.
Fans gathered outside his Kahilipara residence on Monday midnight, cut a cake and placed it before his photograph.
His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and sister, Palmee Borthakur, were present as admirers sang the birthday song along with many of his popular numbers to ring in the first celebration since his death.
On Tuesday morning, a 20-kg cake was brought to Garg’s Kahilipara home, where a bust of the artiste was unveiled, drawing an emotional crowd of hundreds.
The bust was formally unveiled by Garg’s father, Kapil Borthakur, and Garima, creating a deeply poignant moment for all present.
Since Monday night, fans have been flocking Zubeen Kshetra, where the singer was cremated, offering gamosas and flowers, lighting lamps and singing his songs in tribute.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his message, said, “Some presence fades from sight but shines brighter in memory.”
Today, we honour the enduring legacy of an artist who was, will and forever be our heartthrob. That of our #BelovedZubeen. Forever in our hearts,” he posted on a micro-blogging site.
Political parties and various organisations have also lined up a series of programmes to mark Garg’s 53rd birth anniversary. The ruling BJP is organising 53 blood donation camps across the state as part of a state-wide drive.
Later in the evening, the Opposition Congress will hold a commemorative event titled “Kanchanjunga — Sanskriti Houk Maitreyir Mantra” to honour Garg’s memory, celebrate his cultural contributions and reaffirm the party's commitment to securing justice for him.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi will attend the programme in Panjabari, described by the party as an evening of “remembrance, reverence and collective reflection”.
NDA ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) IS observing the day as Jatiya Swabhiman Diwas, organising a tribute ceremony at its headquarters with a blood donation camp, renditions of Garg's songs and sapling plantation.
The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has taken up a three-day programme across all district headquarters since Sunday, organising art camps, cycle rallies and sapling plantation. The All Assam Zubeen Garg Fan Club has also lined up events across the state.
Members of the Gauhati Press Club (GPC) paid floral tributes to the singer on the occasion.
Garg was born in Tura, Meghalaya, on November 18, 1972. He died on September 19 this year in Singapore, where he had travelled to participate in the North East India Festival (NEIF), under mysterious circumstances.
With inputs from PTI