Assam: Fans pay grand tribute as Zubeen Garg’s 53rd birthday celebration kickstarts

The 53rd birth anniversary of Assam’s iconic singer and composer Zubeen Garg was celebrated with large-scale tributes and emotional remembrance across the state on Tuesday, November 18. A tribute event was held at Kuwaritola in Kaliabor, where Minister Keshab Mahanta dedicated four bighas of government land for the development of a commemorative green space named “Zubeen Greens.”

Marking the first birth anniversary since the artist’s passing, the day was observed as “National Self-Respect Day,” an initiative jointly organised by 122 national organisations under the supervision of Minister Mahanta and local authorities.

The programme began with the symbolic plantation of 53 Nahor saplings, representing Zubeen Garg’s 53rd birth year. Representatives from 53 social organisations took part in the plantation drive.

The day witnessed massive public participation, with nearly 3,000 women devotees performing Dihanam, and around 1,000 artists playing Dev Badya, creating a devotional and deeply emotional atmosphere.

In a multilingual cultural tribute, thousands of performers rendered Zubeen’s iconic song “Mayabini” in Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, and Nepali, celebrating the artist’s pan-regional influence. Adding to the visual homage, several painters created live sketches of Zubeen Garg throughout the event.

Celebrations were also held in Sribhumi, where the Sribhumi Zubeen Garg Memorial Committee paid floral tributes at Shambhusagar Park. As part of the commemorative programme, 53 men, women, and children performed “Mayabini,” including a touching rendition by a four-year-old child. The organising committee further distributed blankets to underprivileged residents, honouring Zubeen’s legacy of compassion.

Across the state, thousands of admirers came together to celebrate the life, music, and incomparable contribution of Zubeen Garg, reaffirming his status as one of Assam’s most beloved cultural icons.