Kamarkuchi (Assam), 23 September (HS): The haunting tune of “Mayabini” reverberated through Kamarkuchi NC village on Tuesday as Assam laid to rest its most beloved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, with full state honours. What once was his cherished fantasy in 2019 became a heart-wrenching reality — the entire state singing along to his masterpiece while flames consumed his mortal remains.
At a public programme years ago, Zubeen had confessed that “Mayabini” was his fantasy, remarking with uncanny foresight: “When I die, entire Assam has to sing this song.” Those words returned with devastating weight as lakhs thronged the cremation site and countless others joined virtually through the government’s YouTube livestream. His 2001 composition played without pause as the final rites unfolded.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, film and music personalities and ordinary citizens stood united in grief. His sister, Palme Borthakur with three others, performed the mukhagni ritual, joined by his disciple, music composer Rahul Gautam, Arun Garg and as priests recited Vedic hymns, conch shells blew, and the Assam Police offered a ceremonial gun salute. Garima Saikia Garg, Zubeen’s wife, sat on the platform in inconsolable tears while the family circled the pyre seven times. Adding a deeply personal gesture, a branch of sandalwood that Zubeen had planted on his birthday in 2017 was placed upon the flames.
The procession that preceded the cremation was more of a cultural pilgrimage than a final march. His body, encased in a glass coffin adorned with flowers and draped with the traditional Assamese gamosa, moved slowly through the streets as thousands lined the route chanting his name.
As the bugle call sounded and shots fired in salute, the crowd broke into “Mayabini Ratir Buku,” their voices trembling with grief yet filled with reverence. The melody, once an artist’s creation, now turned into the collective lament of an entire state.
In that moment, sorrow merged with celebration. This was not merely the funeral of a singer but the farewell of an icon who gave Assam its cultural voice across languages and generations.
As flames engulfed the pyre and “Mayabini” kept playing, one truth stood clear — Zubeen Garg had scripted his own final act. His fantasy song became the soundtrack of his eternal journey, ensuring his voice, now a hymn of the people, will never fade into silence.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
