Guwahati: Death of Zubeen Garg continues to haunt the people of Assam, casting a shadow over this year’s Rongali Bihu celebrations. Across the state, the mood remains subdued as grief replaces festivity — with many Bihu committees choosing to tone down, shorten, or cancel their programmes altogether.In upper Assam, several pandals have restricted their observances to the ceremonial hoisting of flags, while in Guwahati, venues such as Beltola — where Zubeen was a beloved and familiar presence on stage every year — have called off their events in remembrance.This time, Latasil Bihu committee has chosen not to invite popular singers as in previous years. Instead, it has invited Jontro, the band formed by Zubeen’s longtime co-artists, to perform as a tribute to his memory.“Instead of a five-day programme, we have made the Rongali Bihu event a four-day celebration. On April 15, the entire day will be dedicated to programmes in memory of Zubeen Garg. This Bihu has been marred by his demise, and we have not invited big singers who used to perform in Latasil,” said Kailash Sarma, chairperson of the platinum jubilee celebration committee of Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani, Latasil.The Beltola Bihu Utsav and Kharghuli Bihu committees have likewise resolved to forgo the usual splendour of Rongali Bihu this year.
In Charaideo district, the Sepon Central Rongali Bihu Sanmilan will observe the festival only through flag hoisting.“In every step of our event’s progress, he was the inspiration. Respecting his contributions to our Sepon Central Rongali Bihu Sanmilan, we will limit the formalities to flag hoisting,” said Pankaj Phukan, principal secretary of the committee.In neighbouring Dibrugarh district, the Tingkhong Anchalik Rongali Bihu Sanmilan committee has decided not to organise celebrations at all.
Upper Assam, usually radiant with the most colourful and joyous Rongali Bihu festivities, now finds its exuberance dimmed by grief. Committee president Sadananda Changmai said that this year, profound pain has replaced joy. “Without Zubeen Garg, the Bihu stages in Assam are empty and silent,” he said.The Rongali Bihu organised by the people of Helacha in lower Assam’s Nalbari district, which in recent years welcomed Zubeen on the third day of Bohag, has cancelled its cultural evening programme on that day as a mark of reverence for the legendary singer.Many other Bihu committees, too, have either cancelled or curtailed their celebrations in homage to Zubeen, even if they were not always able to invite him during his lifetime because of his demanding schedule.The void left by Zubeen is being felt with particular poignancy by his close friends and fellow artistes. Among them is renowned musician, composer, and singer Manas Robin, who has decided not to perform anywhere until Saat Bihu — the first seven days of Rongali Bihu, when Zubeen once set stages across the state alight with song.“Till Saat Bohag, I will stay away from all types of Bihu programmes,” Robin wrote in a social media post.
