Guwahati, Nov. 18: From emotional midnight tributes to blood donation camps, plantation of Nahor tree saplings to cultural programmes, Assam celebrated legendary singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg’s 53rd birthday on Tuesday, the first after his untimely passing in Singapore two months back
Across the state’s capital, several organisations — including political parties and cultural groups — organised a series of programmes to honour the late singer’s life, work and legacy.
An emotional midnight gathering was seen at the singer’s Kahilipara residence, where fans, friends, and family came together to honour his memory with song and music.
Hundreds had assembled outside the residence to be a part of a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony and endearingly remember the singer and hum his songs. Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg was also seen in an inconsolable state even as she acknowledged the presence of the admirers of the singer.
In the morning, a statue of Garg was unveiled at the residence by his father, Kapil Borthakur, wife Garima and family members.
Huge crowds thronged the Zubeen Khetra at Sonapur from morning till late evening as fans and admirers sang Mayabini in memory of the singer.
Residents of the area have arranged multiple programmes in honour of their beloved star, including a blood donation camp, the plantation of 100 Nahor tree saplings, naam-kirtan, Bhaona performances, and other cultural events.
A tribute-paying event was organised in Kaliabor, where minister Keshab Mahanta dedicated four bighas of government land for the development of a commemorative green space named “Zubeen Greens.”
Political parties too left no stone unturned to pay homage to the singer on his 53rd birth anniversary.
Assam BJP organised a special blood donation camp at the Khanapara Veterinary College Playground. After returning from London, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma paid floral tributes to the cultural legend at a shraddhanjali programme held at Khanapara. The chief minister also donated blood at the programme.
The ruling party had organised blood donation camps at 53 locations across the state.
On the other hand, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) organised a commemorative programme titled “Kanchanjungha – Sanskriti Houk Maitreyir Mantra” at Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia Senior Secondary School in Six Smile on Tuesday evening. Assam PCC president Gaurav Gogoi along with several senior leaders of the party attended the programme.
Earlier in the day, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) observed National Pride Day across Assam in honour of the late cultural icon and celebrated singer Zubeen Garg. The day-long programme aimed to commemorate Garg’s artistic legacy and contributions to Assamese identity, music and social causes.
The observance of the day began with a blood donation camp at the party’s Ambari office in Guwahati, inaugurated by AGP president Atul Bora in the presence of party leaders, volunteers and admirers of the late singer.
“Honouring our beloved artist Zubeen Garg, who lives in the heart of every Assamese, the AGP family will henceforth celebrate his birthday each year as Jatiya Swabhiman Diwas. Today, at the AGP headquarters in Ambari, I paid my tearful tributes on his 53rd birth anniversary and inaugurated a blood donation drive to mark the occasion,” Assam minister Atul Bora stated on social media.
“Members of the Asom Yuva Parishad joined the programme and donated blood. AGP workers across Assam are also participating in blood donation today in memory of the revered artist, and this noble tradition will continue in the future. My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has come forward to donate blood,” Bora, who also visited Zubeen Khetra at Sonapur to pay his tribute to the legendary singer.
