Tributes of love continued to pour in for legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away in a tragic scuba accident in Singapore on Friday. This time, singer Armaan Malik took to his handle to pay an emotional tribute to the legend by singing the emotional track ‘Mayabini Ratir Bukut’. Sharing his musical tribute, he penned a note that read, “Every visit to the beautiful state of Assam, I never failed to sing this song and dedicate it to the one and only #ZubeenGarg. Today, singing it feels heavier than ever. Can’t believe he is no more and it breaks my heart that I never got the chance to truly know him properly, a wish that will forever remain unfulfilled. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and every soul who found life in his music.”He added, “Rest in peace Zubeen da… a legend gone too soon. Your beautiful voice will echo in our hearts forever.”
Mortal remains to arrive in Assam on Sunday
According to officials, Garg’s mortal remains will arrive in Delhi from Singapore around midnight on Saturday and will then be flown to Guwahati by a special aircraft. “I will be going to Delhi later today to receive our beloved Zubeen’s mortal remains, which will arrive from Singapore. From there, we will immediately bring the body back to Guwahati, hopefully by 6 am on Sunday,” CM Sarma said in a post on X.PTI reports that the chief minister, accompanied by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, a close friend of Garg since their college days in Jorhat, has also sought permission from Delhi airport authorities to personally receive the singer’s body at the aircraft.“The body has been handed over to the Indian High Commission in Singapore and the accompanying team members of the singer,” Sarma confirmed.
Private farewell for family
On arrival in Guwahati, the singer’s mortal remains will be placed in a flower-bedecked ambulance and brought out through the VIP exit. It will first be taken to Garg’s residence in Kahilipara, where his family members will spend private moments with him.News agencies report that the singer’s relatives have requested at least one and a half hours of personal time before the body is moved to the stadium for public homage. “Strict security arrangements will be ensured near his residence. I request people to stay away when Zubeen’s body is taken to his home so that his family members, particularly his 85-year-old ailing father, can spend time before the body is taken to the stadium,” Sarma said.Guwahati Commissioner of Police Parthasarathi Mahanta visited the residence to oversee security measures.After the private farewell, the mortal remains will be taken to Sarusajai Stadium, where fans will be able to pay their last respects.
Final rites yet to be decided
Reports state that there is debate over where Garg’s last rites should be performed. Several organisations from Jorhat, Garg’s hometown, have demanded that the final rituals be held there, along with the establishment of a memorial in his honour.“The government will not make any independent decision regarding the last rites of the singer. We will first consult his family whose wish will be the top priority, and also several organisations of the state, including the Asam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), and the people who were closely associated with him, before we make a final decision,” Sarma said.
