Guwahati, Sep 21 — The mortal remains of Assam’s most beloved singer, Zubeen Garg, reached his hometown on Sunday morning, sparking an overwhelming outpouring of grief as thousands lined the streets to bid their final goodbye to the music icon.
The body, flown in from Delhi on a commercial flight, arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at around 7 a.m. It had been brought to the national capital from Singapore shortly after midnight, where Garg tragically passed away on Friday following a swimming accident. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, broke down as the coffin was lowered and placed a traditional Assamese gamosa and flowers on it before accompanying the hearse.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, and senior officials were present at the airport to receive the body. CM Sarma had earlier received the coffin in Delhi late Saturday night.
The convoy carrying the singer’s mortal remains began its journey to his Kahilipara residence but moved slowly through crowds of mourners. Thousands showered flower petals on the ambulance, sang his songs, and waved banners and gamosas inscribed with “Zubeen Garg Forever.”
Leading the procession on foot were Assam DGP Harmeet Singh and Guwahati Police Commissioner Parthasarathi Mahanta, clearing the path for the ambulance. A favourite open jeep of Garg’s, carrying his portrait and his music troupe, followed behind.
At Kahilipara, his family, including his 85-year-old father, were given private moments of farewell. Later, the body will be kept at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex for public homage.
Markets across parts of Assam remained shut in mourning. For millions, Zubeen Garg was more than a singer — he was an emotion, and his final journey home was marked by a sea of humanity united in sorrow.
