The family of Zubeen Garg, one of northeast India’s most celebrated singers, was on Saturday awaiting the return of his body from Singapore, a day after he drowned while swimming without a life jacket during a yacht trip.
The 52-year-old artist had travelled to Singapore to attend the North East India Festival. He joined 17 others on a sea outing on Friday but reportedly ventured into the water without protective gear. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that an autopsy was conducted at a Singapore hospital and that the body would arrive in Delhi late Saturday before being flown to Guwahati.
At Garg’s Kahilipara residence, family members received a steady stream of mourners. His 85-year-old father, Mohini Mohan Borthakur — a former bureaucrat and acclaimed poet battling Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes — appeared resigned to fate. He had earlier endured the deaths of his wife, Ily, and daughter Jongki, an actor-singer killed in a 2002 road accident.
Now, his only surviving child is Palme, a university professor. Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, a fashion designer, maintained composure while greeting visitors, relatives said.
Local authorities restricted entry to the residence to prevent overcrowding as fans thronged to pay homage. “We don’t want a stampede-like situation,” said Garg’s uncle, Manoj Kumar Borthakur.
Neighbours remembered Garg as humble despite his fame. “He was the guy next door, hanging out at the corner shops just like us,” said Rickjyoti Batshya, who recalled the singer obliging every request for a greeting or photo.
Fans would often gather outside his apartment, particularly on his birthday, when the gates had to be closed to control crowds. “His car passing by was enough for young people from a nearby hostel to shout out to him,” Batshya said.
As the city prepares to receive his mortal remains, Assam mourns the loss of a cultural icon whose voice defined generations of music lovers in the region.
