Guwahati marked a significant cultural milestone on Tuesday with the formal inauguration of a dedicated memorial space created in honor of Assam's celebrated musical icon Zubeen Garg. Located beneath the old Abhinaya building along the approach road to Rajgarh No. 2 Bylane, the newly established site has been named Zubeen Khetra. The inauguration ceremony was officially conducted by the singer's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, amidst a gathering of local residents, cultural enthusiasts, and spiritual figures.
An Inclusive Space Rooted in Humanist Values
Zubeen Khetra has been conceptualized as an open, inclusive venue accessible to people of all backgrounds, regardless of their caste, community, linguistic identity, or religious faith. This design directly reflects Zubeen Garg's personal philosophy of secularism, humanism, and social harmony. Demonstrating this broad ethos, the opening ceremony featured active participation from religious leaders and representatives of diverse faiths. Spiritual guides from different traditions offered prayers, recited sacred verses, and bestowed blessings upon the memorial in accordance with their respective religious customs.
Deep Nostalgia and Community Support in Rajgarh
Speaking during the inaugural event, Garima Saikia Garg shared sentimental memories about her husband's long-standing connection with the neighborhood. She noted that Zubeen Garg had spent nearly 15 years of his life residing in Rajgarh, making the locality a central repository of his artistic journey and personal experiences. Expressing her appreciation for the community initiative, she mentioned, "People want to pay their respects to Zubeen Garg before beginning a good work, and this place is for everyone." She also highlighted the remarkable nature of the inter-faith blessings, describing the collective religious participation as a deeply meaningful gesture.
Preserving a Living Legacy Beyond Boundaries
The creation of Zubeen Khetra was spearheaded by journalist, writer, and cultural activist Hemanta Sarma. Explaining the core motivation behind setting up the memorial, Hemanta Sarma stated that the primary goal is to ensure the artist's legacy remains expansive rather than limited to a single physical location. Just as Zubeen Garg's music and creative works successfully broke through barriers of language, caste, and religion to unite people across regions, his principles should continue to resonate in the hearts of his admirers everywhere. Sarma advocated for the establishment of similar small Zubeen Khetras inside individual homes, rural villages, and local neighborhoods alongside existing places of worship, emphasizing that promoting the singer's unifying worldview is particularly relevant in contemporary society.
