Zubeen Garg's life and work to be included in Assam school syllabus

Guwahati: The life and work of singer Zubeen Garg will soon be included in the school syllabus for Classes IX to XI under the Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), officials confirmed.

The inclusion is intended to familiarize students with the cultural and artistic contributions of Zubeen Garg.

According to ASSEB officials, new chapters on both Zubeen Garg and Bhupen Hazarika are being prepared for the upcoming academic session.

“The profiles of singer Bhupen Hazarika and Zubeen Garg will be introduced for Classes IX and X, while Class XI students will study Zubeen in their media and information literacy course. Work is underway,” an official said.

Students of the Bajali district have already received a preview of this initiative. The Class XII half-yearly English paper, held on November 6, included a three-paragraph profile of Zubeen Garg followed by a set of five-mark questions.

Officials clarified that the inclusion was a local initiative undertaken by the district’s internal examination committee.

Interest in Garg’s life and work has grown since he died in Singapore on September 19, 2025, at the age of 52.

The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) has recently launched a research fellowship to study the life, philosophy, and contributions of Zubeen Garg to art and culture. The university had also conferred an honorary DLitt on him last year.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Zubeen Garg recorded over 38,000 songs in 40 languages, directed several films, and made significant contributions to the development of Assamese cinema. His final film, Roi Roi Binale, continues to perform well at the box office.

The ASSEB’s move ensures that Zubeen Garg’s work is included in education and can be studied by students across the state.