By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 21: Head of the Orthopaedics Department at NEIGRIHMS, Dr Bhaskar Borgohain, fondly recalled his association with Assamese singing icon Zubeen Garg, who reportedly died in a swimming mishap in Singapore on Friday.
Borgohain said he and Zubeen were chemistry laboratory partners during their 10+2 years at JB College, Jorhat, in 1989–90.
“I knew him then as Zubeen Borthakur. He was unique in style — always in jeans trousers, jeans shirt, jeans shoes (North Star), and even his college bag was made of jeans. He had a crew cut hairstyle and a sharp pair of eyes,” Borgohain remembered.
He further recalled their mischievous experiments in the chemistry lab after classes, often mixing salts and reagents.
“One day, thick black smoke arose during our crazy experiments. We both started coughing badly. The laboratory demonstrator, Dutta Sir, noticed it. We ran, but Zubeen was caught. He never revealed my name, even at the risk of his own academic career,” Borgohain said.
When Zubeen later rose to fame in the early 1990s, Borgohain said he could hardly recognise his old friend. “When Zubeen Garg became a sensation in 1991–92 with long hair and goggles, I didn’t realise at first it was the same college mate. He became the superstar he was destined to be,” he recalled.
Paying tribute, Borgohain said, “Buddy, we had so much more to get from your breathless creativity and unique musical genius, but you chose to rest. Your life has left an indelible legacy for Assamese art, culture, and fearless music for generations to come.”
He added, “You will live forever through your unparalleled musical footprints and the emotional imprints you have left in millions of hearts. Rest in peace, dear.”
