Hundreds of fans, family members, and fellow artistes converged on Zubeen Khetra in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, on Saturday, 19 September 2025, to mark the first death anniversary of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg. The gathering underscored both the enduring cultural resonance of Garg's work and an unresolved demand for accountability surrounding his death.

A Memorial Site at the Centre of Grief

Zubeen Khetra — the temporary memorial established at the site where Garg's last rites were performed — became the focal point of remembrance. Fans sang Garg's compositions aloud and paid silent homage throughout the day. The site drew mourners from across Assam, reflecting the singer's reach well beyond urban centres.

A three-day commemorative programme, organised by the Assam government's Cultural Affairs Department, had begun on Thursday and concluded on Saturday. Garg died on 19 September last year during a sea outing in Singapore, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East Festival. His sudden passing triggered widespread mourning across the state, alongside persistent demands for an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Papon Urges Nurturing of Young Talent

Singer Angaraag 'Papon' Mahanta, who visited Zubeen Khetra on Friday and met Garg's wife Garima Saikia Garg, addressed the gathering with a message of encouragement. 'It is a beautiful sight that so many young people are singing their hearts out to Zubeen's songs,' Papon said, urging the audience to support emerging singers performing Garg's compositions rather than fixate on their imperfections. He stressed that errors could be corrected with time.

Arun Hazarika Reiterates Justice Demand

Veteran actor Arun Hazarika, who also paid his respects at the memorial, reiterated calls for justice in Garg's death while sounding a note of caution. 'We want justice for Zubeen, but this should not be at the cost of injustice to someone else,' Hazarika said. He also welcomed the re-release of Garg's final film, Roi Roi Binale, in several theatres across Assam. Hazarika recalled his personal bond with the singer, noting that Garg had been his neighbour and the two spoke whenever they crossed paths.

MLA Calls for 'Zubeen Divas' and Flags Investigation Delays

Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi used the occasion to press the Assam government on two fronts: he urged the declaration of 19 September as an official public holiday to be observed as 'Zubeen Divas', and questioned the pace of the ongoing investigation into Garg's death. Gogoi also raised concerns over the incomplete development of Zubeen Khetra, specifically pointing to the absence of boundary walls at the memorial site — an issue critics say reflects the administration's lack of follow-through on promises made after the singer's death.

Legacy and the Road Ahead

This is the first formal anniversary commemoration for Garg, whose career spanned decades and whose voice defined a generation of Assamese popular music. The persistence of the justice demand, now a year old and still unresolved, suggests the mourning has not been contained to sentiment alone. With political voices joining civil calls, pressure on the state government to both accelerate the investigation and formalise recognition of Garg's legacy appears set to intensify in the months ahead.