‘Zubeen Khetra’ inaugurated at Rajgarh amid prayers and chanting by religious leaders of different faiths_’People want to pay their respects to Zubeen Garg before beginning a good work; this place is for everyone’: Garima Saikia Garg

Dalim Phukan.
Hills Live News, Guwahati, Sept 1: ‘Zubeen Khetra’, a memorial space built at Rajgarh in Guwahati through the personal initiative of journalist, writer and cultural activist Hemanta Sarma in memory of beloved artist and ‘Son of God’ Zubeen Garg, was formally inaugurated today by Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg. The space, envisioned as being open to everyone irrespective of caste, community, language or religion, witnessed the presence of religious leaders and representatives of different faiths, who offered prayers, recited sacred verses and extended blessings according to their respective religious traditions. The participation of representatives of different faiths in the ceremony gave the occasion a distinctive significance. Speaking at the inauguration, Garima Saikia Garg said Zubeen Garg had spent nearly 15 years in Rajgarh and that the area holds many memories associated with him. Appreciating Hemanta Sarma’s initiative to create ‘Zubeen Khetra’ to keep Zubeen Garg’s music, creations, thoughts and humanist philosophy alive among the people, she said, “People want to pay their respects to Zubeen Garg before beginning a good work, and this place is for everyone.” She described the participation of people from different faiths, who came forward and blessed the place through their respective religious traditions, as truly remarkable. Located opposite the approach road to Rajgarh No. 2 Bylane, beneath the old ‘Abhinaya’ building, ‘Zubeen Khetra’ reflects Zubeen Garg’s secular and humanist outlook. The space has been kept open to people of all faiths, without any religious or communal restriction. Founder Hemanta Sarma said the objective behind ‘Zubeen Khetra’ is to ensure that Zubeen Garg’s memory does not remain confined to any one place. Just as Zubeen Garg’s music and creations transcended barriers of caste, community, language and religion and brought people together, his memory too should live on among everyone. Advocating the creation of small ‘Zubeen Khetras’ in homes, villages and localities, Sarma said that establishing ‘Zubeen Darshan’ in society is particularly important at the present time. Many may not have thought deeply about it yet, but an increasing number of people are beginning to recognise the relevance of Zubeen Darshan, he said. “Just as we have temples, mosques, churches and gurdwaras, there should also be spaces like ‘Zubeen Khetra’ dedicated to Zubeen Garg’s memory and philosophy,” he added. Sarma further clarified that although Zubeen Garg’s samadhi at Sonapur is also named ‘Zubeen Khetra’, the Rajgarh initiative is neither a rival memorial nor an attempt to diminish the significance of the Sonapur site, but a personal tribute to Zubeen Garg. He said the ‘Zubeen Khetra’ was built entirely through his own initiative and financial means, without depending on any individual or institutional donation. The inauguration, marked by prayers, sacred chants and blessings from religious leaders of different faiths, added another small yet significant space dedicated to the memory of Zubeen Garg in Rajgarh.