A Tribute to the Eternal Minstrel

“In the bosom of enchantress night

I could see your image

You came secretly, and with gentle might,

Captured my heart’s corner

O! you are like a cold dew drop

On my parched mind…”

‘Mayabini’ the song which has become an anthem for every Assamese was penned, composed and sung by Zubeen Garg, the legend and evergreen minstrel whose unexpected demise has left us devastated. We are still trying to recover from the shock of a priceless life being snuffed out even as it had so many more dreams to fulfill.

Growing up in the 90s, Zubeen’s music was the soundtrack to my school days, which began with his debut album ‘Anamika’ in 1992. Moving from school to college, Zubeen’s songs have been companions all along.  That sublime one-of-a-kind heavenly voice can never be surpassed. Through his affable style and earthy appeal, Zubeen drew million crowds in his cultural performances. Zubeen’s voice was synonymous with Bohag Bihu celebrations so that no Bohag Bihu function was complete without his soulful renditions. We saw him growing into a music sensation, a star singing around 38,000 songs till his final days. Moreover, he sang in around 40 languages and dialects. As adults, we saw him making his mark as an actor and a director. With a breadth of experience, Zubeen made his way for an illustrious musical career, spanning from Assam to the Bollywood spotlight. Assam owes him a lot for he was the one who resurrected Assamese film industry which had been in a slump for decades.

A smorgasbord of talent, Zubeen Garg, besides being musician, singer, composer, songwriter, instrumentalist, actor, director, filmmaker, poet, was also an environmentalist. With a deep love for nature, Zubeen is noted for taking a bold stand against the government’s decision to destroy old trees on the banks of Dighalipukhuri in Guwahati.

Zubeen Garg was a true humanitarian who extended help and support to the needy and the underprivileged in whatever way he could. Every morning people would wait in front of his residence to seek help, and he would refuse none. He was an animal lover, too, who steadfastly defended animal rights. He was known for feeding crows, monkeys etc. and even naming them by imparting his own surname ‘Garg’. Significantly, Zubeen’s compassion for animals earned him recognition from PETA India, which honoured him for speaking out against animal cruelty.

It was because he was not just a great singer but a man with a golden heart, that youngsters were crazy for him and took him as a role model. Not that he was loved by the young alone but he was adored by the older generation as well. Zubeen, who had once remarked “I belong to no community and no religion”, treated everyone equally irrespective of caste, creed and religion. A man of unbreached integrity, Zubeen drew people towards him with his fearless voice which spoke against injustice, corruption etc. and advocated for people’s rights. He was a free-spirited nature, defying conventions and a rebel at heart. He poetically embodied his rebellious nature and unconventional spirit in his poem titled ‘Water’ thus:

“You won’t fathom

The limits of my protesting entity

I can traverse from the river to the sea,

And from the sea to the river

I can even return,

Nothing but my colour will change

Nothing but the taste of water will change.”

Seeing the mad craze and devotion of people for him, Zubeen in a moment of candour had confessed that he was not God, but rather he had become ‘Zubeen Garg’ through his own perseverance and tireless efforts. Nevertheless, we were awed by his persona and sheer talent during his lifetime. His passing has only reinforced the notion that he was not an ordinary soul. His funeral day saw the fourth largest congregation of people in the entire world. Such respect and love for their favourite singer was unprecedented.

In the aftermath of Zubeen Garg’s demise, his devoted fans have a responsibility to honour his memory. And their responsibility lies not in mere imitation of their hero or a mad craze for him but in embracing their individuality, working tirelessly, and pursuing their passions with dedication. As we mourn the loss of this great legend, we are left with life’s most invaluable lessons bequeathed by this noble soul. Through his legacy, we have now learned to embrace our humanity, challenge the status quo, and foster a culture of equality, while finding the courage to speak our minds, as embodied in his powerful poetic words: “Be Water/Be Shapeless.”

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