Silchar: The Cultural Fraternity of Barak Valley hosted a large memorial gathering for Zubeen Garg on Tuesday at the Silchar DSA ground. The programme started around four in the afternoon and drew an estimated ten thousand people. Artists, students and residents from across the Valley arrived with one purpose: to honour the legacy of an artist who shaped the region’s cultural identity.

Debojit Saha led the musical segment and opened the evening with a heartfelt performance. Before he began, he told the crowd that Zubeen Garg was not just a musician but a force who proved that art from this region could reach far beyond its borders.

Every time he sings Zubeen’s songs, he said, he feels the space that Zubeen created for every emerging artist. The audience responded with loud applause.

Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty joined the organisers and interacted with attendees. In a brief address, he said Garg’s life reminded people of the strength that comes from humility and dedication.

Zubeen brought the Northeast together through music, he said, and his legacy continues to push people to stay united and encourage young talent.

Indian Idol singer Maithili Shome also performed. According to the organisers, close to ten thousand people took part, including large groups of students from various institutions.

The programme was steered by a long list of fraternity members, including Tuhina Sharma Biswas, Soumitra Shankar Dutta, Soumitra Deb Roy, Bhaskar Das, Amarendu Chakraborty, Kanailal Das, Sanjeev Roy, Debopriyo Shome, Rajat Ghosh, Parimal Purkayastha, Ashish Chakraborty, Shibabrata Dutta, Joyjit Biswas, Dilip Sinha, Nikhil Paul, Nandini Chakraborty, Surajit Shome and Joydeep Chakraborty.

One of the most striking moments came when fifty-three sky lamps were lit. Organisers said the gesture reflected the unity, cooperation and compassion that defined Garg’s life and music. The tribute also featured a cake-cutting ceremony led by Garg’s first teacher, Mithu Miss (Ratna Aditya) of Sribhumi, which brought a quiet emotional pause to the evening.

The organisers said the memorial was kept open to everyone because Garg belonged to all who found joy, comfort or strength in his work. They added that the gathering was not only about remembrance but also about carrying forward the spirit of community that Zubeen inspired across generations.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally