The light of dawn had not yet spread around the sleepy earth. It was still the very early morning in Atlanta as I lit the lamp to begin my prayers. Suddenly from upstairs, my son called out, “There’s terrible news! Zubeen Garg has passed away.” For a few moments, I couldn’t quite register what I had heard. Then almost instinctively, the words escaped my lips: “May he rest in peace.”
That same day, a friend for whom I have profound respect asked if I would write a piece on Zubeen. I replied that I would rather refrain, fearing that I might not do justice to a man whose contributions to the music industry were so immense. And yet here I am, making a humble attempt to pay my tribute to this legendary singer.
I did not hear the name Zubeen Garg until I left India at the end of 1991. But it was not long before we heard about his debut album Anamika in 1992. The rest, as they say, is history, and from there evolved an artiste who gifted to Assam a treasury of rich gems.
Versatility was Zubeen’s trademark. He could foray into any genre of music with unencumbered ease. Be it a folk song, rock, modern, or a devotional hymn, the effect was equally powerful. Maya Mathu Maya, predominantly rock, swept the younger generation off its feet. Touching the hearts of romantics with a warm flutter, Zubeen sang Diya Muk Diya. In a diametrically opposite category was Zubeen’s rendition of Srimanta Sankardev’s Hori Namo Roxe which stirred the soul with peaceful devotion, leaving listeners immersed in a serene and contemplative experience.
That Zubeen Garg had a melodious voice is stating the obvious. But what essentially stood out was the music he composed, for this was a man who brought Assamese music into a new, modern era while still honoring its roots. He blended Assamese folk elements like Bihu rhythms and indigenous instruments with modern genres such as rock, pop, jazz, and electronic music.
The song Xunere Xojuwa, for instance, reflects on the missing values of society and does not have a religious theme, yet its melody carries the essence of a ghoxha (a verse from the scriptures).
Kokal Khamosiya is another example where the lilting tunes of a Bongeet are beautifully blended with the rhythm of Bihu – a symphony created with the sounds of the dhol and pepa.
Kolia Meghe is steeped in emotional sensitivity and simplicity. Although modern in its characteristics, the song also evokes the spirit of Mising folk music and Kamrupi lokgeet.
The range is endless, and I do not consider myself knowledgeable to compile an exhaustive list. It would perhaps suffice to say that Zubeen’s melodies lend authenticity to the belief that “music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything”.
Beyond the musical realm was another side of Zubeen Garg: the kindness that he nurtured within. Stories abound of how he helped the needy and how his generosity touched the lives of many.
Was Zubeen perfect? No, he was not. His irresponsible behavior in public, his use of profanity, and his actions that sometimes crossed the line of decency often stirred the hornet’s nest.
He was, above all, human. And like all human beings, he too erred – at times gravely. Yet those who knew him and even many who did not chose to remember him with love, to offer him grace, and to extend forgiveness. For to err is human, but to forgive is divine. And the sea of humanity now stepping forward to pay their respects to their dear Zubeen is a validation of that statement.
What defined him most was not his mistakes, but his kindness. He carried a warmth that reached hearts and lifted spirits. His music was more than sound; it was nourishment for the mind and comfort for the heart. Through it, he gave a part of himself to the world – something pure, something lasting.
It is this legacy of kindness, music, and humanity that far outweighs his shortcomings. These are the gifts that earned him the love and admiration that remain, even now as he takes his final leave from this earthly life. And here we have his fans all over the world singing Mayabini Ratir Bukut, a song he had requested to be sung upon his passing.
Make heaven musical Zubeen, rest in peace!
rashmi writes 