Zubeen Garg: A melody for the wild

Guwahati: Zubeen Garg, the soulful voice of Assam who enchanted millions with over 38,000 songs across 40 languages, was far more than a musical icon.

He was a fierce guardian of the natural world ,a rebel artist whose compassion extended to every creature, big or small. In a career spanning decades, Zubeen didn't just sing about life's rhythms; he lived them, weaving threads of environmental advocacy and animal welfare into the fabric of his extraordinary life.

His untimely passing on September 19, 2025, in drowning in Singapore, at the age of 52, has left Assam mourning not just a singer, but a steward of nature.

A Voice Against Cruelty:

Championing Animal Rights

Zubeen's love for animals was unapologetic and vocal, often putting him at odds with tradition. In 2018, during a Bihu performance near Guwahati's revered Kamakhya Temple, he publicly urged an end to animal sacrifices, declaring, "Animal sacrifice in the name of religion must end. No deity wants to be satiated with the blood of animals." His words sparked controversy,temple priests demanded an apology, calling it an overstep for a singer but Zubeen stood firm. "This is my personal belief, and I cannot tolerate cruelty to animals," he responded.

For his courage, PETA India honored him with the Hero to Animals Award that year, recognizing him as a "voice for animals" and a member of the animal rights group People For Animals (PFA).

This wasn't performative activism; it was personal. Zubeen rescued countless animals across Assam, from flood-stranded wildlife to injured strays, personally arranging medical care and transport. He was a regular collaborator with the Kaziranga-based Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), run by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). "Zubeen was an avid animal, nature, and wildlife lover," said Rathin Barman, WTI's secretary and CWRC director, who recalled Zubeen's frequent calls offering help. He even adopted a rhino at CWRC, symbolizing his deep bond with Assam's iconic grasslands.

At home, his menagerie was a testament to his heart. Zubeen shared his life with four beloved dogs—Iko, Diya, Rambo, and Maya alongside an eclectic family of rescues: egrets, pythons, tortoises, snakes, and even a pet bird named "Udasin Garg." He gave them all his surname, treating them as kin.

During Holi in 2018, he used his platform to plead, "Let the colours of Holi spread the message of peace and happiness. Please don't colour your pets this Holi," underscoring his gentle advocacy.

In one of the most poignant moments of his farewell on September 23, 2025, at Guwahati's Sarusajai Stadium, his dogs were carried in by family to gaze at him one last time. The thousands in attendance fell silent, tears flowing as the animals stood vigil,a raw, wordless tribute to their unbreakable bond.

Harmony with the Earth:

Nature's Poet and Protector

Zubeen's reverence for nature echoed the environmental ethos of his idol, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, whose songs celebrated Assam's rivers, forests, and wildlife. Like Hazarika, Zubeen infused his music with the pulse of the land tracks like those evoking Kaziranga's misty mornings or the Brahmaputra's flow weren't just art; they were calls to preserve. He appealed for Majuli's salvation, the world's largest river island erodng under human neglect, during the North East Festival in New Delhi, joining voices with fellow artists Papon and Adil Hussain.

His actions spoke louder. Zubeen "talked to trees," as fans recall, and rescued species from egrets to pythons, providing shelter in his own space.In Arunachal Pradesh, where he shot many music videos, locals like Isther Tikhak from Miao remembered him as an "animal lover and environmentalist" who passionately discussed rights and protection during visits to monasteries. Even in death, nature paid homage: a wild monkey and a crow were spotted standing solemnly beside his photo in a viral tribute, as if sensing the loss of a kindred spirit.

Eternal Echoes: Tributes That Take Root

In the days following his death, Assam's landscapes became canvases for remembrance. On World Rhino Day, September 22, 2025, Kaziranga National Park and CWRC planted 52 nahor saplings Zubeen's favorite tree at Borjuri, one for each year of his life. "Zubeen was a great nature and wildlife lover," said park director Sonali Ghosh, dedicating the grove to flood-rescued animals he'd helped save.

The conservation group Pakriti Sahodar planted nahor phool saplings across forests and offices, vowing, "This is our attempt to ensure he stays alive in our hearts forever through these trees."

Environment Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary hailed him as "Kaziranga's supporter," whose spirit "echoes the conservation spirit that drives Assam."

Zubeen Garg wasn't just a rockstar; he was a bridge between humanity and the wild, reminding us that true harmony comes from compassion. As Rathin Barman urged, "Now, it is our duty to carry forward his legacy and inspire others to save nature and wildlife."

In every rustle of leaves, every rescued soul, and every note that lingers, Zubeen's melody endures a call to protect the world he so fiercely loved.