Silchar: Despite the scorching heat, Silchar’s residents flocked to Durga Puja pandals across the town on Monday (Mahasaptami), blending devotion with celebration. Amid the chants, rituals, and festive cheer, one theme stood out this year—the memory of the late singer Zubeen Garg.

Almost every pandal displayed a garlanded portrait of the legendary artist, while his songs filled the air through loudspeakers. Devotees paused in prayer, some offering flowers, others standing in silent reflection as they moved from one pandal to another.

Zubeen Garg, who passed away recently under tragic circumstances, had become more than an entertainer for many in Assam. His music, woven into daily life, offered comfort and became a shared outlet for grief during the festival.

Puja organisers paid tribute by decorating stages with his photos and blending devotional bhajans with his popular songs. The pandals were aglow not just with lights but with emotion, as visitors lingered despite the blazing sun. Many said attending the pandal was their way of showing respect, while some felt his presence—through his music—added deeper meaning to this year’s celebrations.

Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, leaving Assam in mourning. Puja committee members said featuring his songs was “inevitable,” reflecting how deeply his music resonates with Assamese identity.

At several pandals—including Purbajyoti Club Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee, National Highway Road Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee, Tarapur Sarbojanin Durga Puja Committee, Netaji School Road Durga Puja Committee (Ajanta Club), and Ananda Parishad—devotees described hearing his voice as a bittersweet experience, combining joy in the festival with sorrow over his loss.

This Durga Puja, Silchar residents are not just celebrating tradition—they are collectively mourning and paying tribute.

A special homage was also held at the residence of Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, where friends, fans, and well-wishers remembered Zubeen Garg. Through his songs and images, the festival reflected public grief and offered a sense of solace. His voice and legacy continue to inspire, leaving a mark that will endure for generations.

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