Assam Remembers Zubeen Garg on First Death Anniversary at Sonapur

Hundreds of admirers, artistes and family members assembled at Zubeen Khetra in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, on Saturday to mark the first death anniversary of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The gathering at the temporary memorial site was led in part by members of the All Assam Students' Union, who joined fans in singing some of his best-known songs as a tribute.

AASU Chief Advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya said the occasion was both a remembrance and a demand for accountability. Recalling that a year had passed since Garg's unexpected death, he said the singer must receive justice.

AASU President Utpal Sarma spoke of the breadth of Garg's contribution, noting that his creations would be celebrated across Assam for generations. He pointed to moments when the artiste used his platform beyond music — turning his Bihu stages into sites of protest during a period of rhino poaching in the state, and offering one of his houses to be used as a quarantine centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarma said that humanitarian legacy should be carried forward by the people of Assam and its younger generation.

The Assam government also marked the anniversary through its Cultural Affairs Department, which organised a three-day programme that began on Thursday and concluded on Saturday.

Garg died in Singapore on September 19, 2025, a day before he was due to perform at the Northeast India Festival. Over a career spanning singing, composing and musicianship, he recorded thousands of songs in multiple languages. He gained a following beyond Assam with "Ya Ali" from the 2006 Hindi film 'Gangster,' which starred Kangana Ranaut.

Throughout his career, Garg stayed closely tied to Assamese music and culture, blending traditional sounds with modern arrangements and establishing himself as one of the most recognised voices from the Northeast.