Page 55 - Mann Ki Baat English

Music Director in 2007 for ‘Echoes
of Silence.’
For Assam, Zubeen Garg
was the heartbeat of the state.
His songs reflected love and
longing, the beauty of rural life,
the sufferings of people and
the hope of a better tomorrow.
His romantic numbers gave
young people a language to
express emotion. His historical
ballads celebrated our heroes
and strengthened our pride. His
personal songs of grief, written
after the loss of his mother and
sister, touched every soul.
If there is one song that
captures the eternal spirit of
Assam, it is ‘Mayabini ratir bukut’
(Meaning – In the bosom of
the magical night). For Zubeen,
it was about hope, fleeting
life, love and separation. For
the people of Assam, after
his passing, it has become a
hymn of remembrance. This
transformation of a song into
a collective prayer shows that
Zubeen was truly the voice of
Assam.
For the younger generation,
Zubeen’s life was a lesson in
courage. He showed that one
could remain rooted in state
identity while achieving national
fame. He revived folk traditions,
transformed Bihu performances
and gave new energy to
Assamese cinema with the film
‘Mission China’, which set new
records. He also opened his
Mumbai residence to young
artistes from Assam, giving them
shelter and guidance. For many
of today’s established musicians,
Zubeen Garg was the one who
gave them the courage to dream.
Zubeen’s legacy also lies in
his social commitment. Through
the Kalaguru Artist Foundation,
he supported struggling artists
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and artisans. He promoted
sports among the youth through
football matches and raised his
voice for rhino conservation and
environmental causes. He did not
just sing for the people, he stood
with them in times of need.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s
recognition of Zubeen Garg in
‘Mann ki Baat’ has deeply moved
the hearts of the people of Assam
and all who love his music. It is a
tribute not only to an individual,
but to Assamese identity itself.
Zubeen carried Assam’s voice
into every corner of India. He
showed that art can unite, inspire
and heal. His death is a colossal
loss, but his songs ensure that his
spirit will live on.
It is now upon us, especially
the youth, to carry forward his
legacy, which inspires us to
remain creative, to dream boldly,
to serve society with compassion
and to take pride in our language
and traditions. If we can do
this, Zubeen’s journey will never
end. Assam bids farewell to
Zubeen Garg, but his music will
continue to echo in our hearts,
inspire generations and remind
us always of the power of art to
make us one.