The Day Assam Stood Still: Zubeen Da's Last Ride

September 23, 2025 - The saddest day in Assam's musical history
I can't believe I'm writing this. My hands are still shaking, my eyes still swollen from crying. Our beloved Zubeen Da is gone forever, and with him, a piece of every Assamese heart has died too.
A Sea of Broken Hearts in Sonapur
When I reached Kamarkuchi village in Sonapur early morning on September 23rd, I couldn't believe my eyes. It looked like the entire population of Assam had descended upon this small village. Lakhs and lakhs of people - that's not an exaggeration. The roads were completely choked with fans who had traveled from every corner of the state, and even from other states. The funeral became the world's fourth-largest gathering as lakhs bid their tearful farewell to our Assamese icon.
People had been arriving since dawn, some had even stayed overnight. I saw families with small children, elderly people supported by walking sticks, young couples holding each other and crying - everyone united in grief. Thousands of grieving fans and well-wishers gathered at the Kamarkuchi cremation site to bid a tearful farewell and catch one last glimpse of the late singer.
The Final Journey
The procession from Sarusajai Stadium to Kamarkuchi was something I'll never forget. From dawn itself, thousands had gathered along the route, showering flowers and offering prayers as the funeral procession passed. People climbed on rooftops, trees, anything to get a final glimpse of their beloved Zubeen Da. The entire 20-kilometer route was lined with crying fans throwing flowers at the hearse.
I stood there with tears streaming down my face, watching our hero's final journey. This was the same man who had given us "Mayabini," "Rumal," and countless other songs that had become the soundtrack of our lives. How could someone so full of life, so vibrant, be lying there so still?

video credit: Kularanjan Roy
The Last Rites
At the cremation ground in Kamarkuchi, the scene was both heartbreaking and beautiful. His sister Palmee Borthakur and nephews lit the pyre as thousands of fans, leaders, and family members bid a tearful farewell. When they lit the pyre, Zubeen Garg was cremated with his favourite song, Mayabini, playing in the background. That moment broke me completely. Hearing "Mayabini" while watching the flames consume our beloved Zubeen Da - I don't think any of us will ever recover from that pain.
His wife, Garima ba, sat there with such grace despite her breaking heart. Garima Garg, his wife, sat with a breaking heart, bidding a tearful farewell, while family, friends, and thousands of fans looked on in deep sorrow. We could see the pain in her eyes, the same pain that every fan was feeling at that moment.
The Dignitaries and State Honours
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reached the crematorium, and Union Minister Pabitra Margherita representing the Prime Minister, Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, former Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju all came to pay their respects. Seeing these powerful leaders with tears in their eyes showed how much Zubeen Da meant to everyone, regardless of status or position.
The final rites were performed with full state honours, which was the least our government could do for someone who had given so much to Assamese culture and music. But honestly, no honor felt enough for what Zubeen Da meant to us.
Even His Dogs Mourned,it broke my heart even more was seeing that his dogs also paid tribute. If even his pets were mourning, how could we fans ever move on? Zubeen Da loved his dogs so much, and they loved him back. They probably don't understand why their papa isn't coming home.
A World Record for Love
Zubeen Garg's funeral entered the Limca Book of Records as the 4th largest in the world. While it's an achievement, it's the saddest achievement possible. It just shows how much love people had for him. No other Assamese personality has ever received such a massive turnout. It proves that Zubeen Da wasn't just a singer - he was our emotion, our pride, our voice.
The Fans Who Refused to Leave
Even after the cremation was over, hundreds of Zubeen fans stayed glued to the Kamarkuchi crematorium ground and refused to leave the venue. I was one of them. How do you just walk away from the place where your childhood hero, your inspiration, your voice of rebellion and love has been reduced to ashes? Many of us sat there in silence, still in disbelief.
Even though it rained nonstop, thousands of heartbroken fans came together. The rain felt like the sky was crying with us. Nature itself seemed to mourn the loss of Assam's greatest musical son.
Our Zubeen Da is Gone
As I write this, sitting in my room looking at my collection of Zubeen Da's CDs and posters, I still can't accept that he's gone. His voice, which could make us dance with joy in "Ya Ali" or cry with "Mayabini," has been silenced forever at just 52 years old.
One fan said at the stadium, "He is one of the celebrities who is evergreen." That's exactly what Zubeen Da was - evergreen. His songs will live on, his voice will echo in our hearts forever, but the pain of losing him will also stay with us.
Zubeen Da, wherever you are, know that Assam loves you more than words can express. You gave us our identity, our voice, our pride. State mourning was declared and plans for lasting memorials are being made, but the biggest memorial to you will always be in our hearts.
We will miss your laugh, your rebellious spirit, your love for Assam, and most of all, your magical voice. Thank you for everything, Zubeen Da. You were, are, and will always be our pride.
Rest in peace, our beloved Zubeen Da. Assam will never be the same without you.

Written by a heartbroken fan who will forever miss the voice that defined a generation.