Guwahati: In the quiet, pine-scented hills of Shillong, where music often feels like a second language, an academic gathering transformed into something far more intimate—a collective act of remembrance, reflection, and cultural belonging.
For two days, scholars, artists, and students came together not merely to discuss a figure, but to relive the emotional universe shaped by Zubeen Garg—an artist whose voice continues to echo across Northeast India.
The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Shillong campus, concluded its two-day ICSSR NERC-sponsored National Seminar on March 27, celebrating the cultural legacy of the iconic singer through the theme, “Society and Culture in Art and Philosophy of Life: Understanding the Cultural Praxis and Epoch-making of Zubeen Garg and the North East India.”
Organized by the Departments of Journalism and Mass Communication and English Language Education, the seminar evolved into a vibrant confluence of memory, music, identity, and critical thought.
The event opened on March 26 with an inaugural song by EFLU students, setting a resonant cultural tone. Director Prof. Mousumi Guha Banerjee, in her address, underscored how Zubeen Garg’s music transcends boundaries while reflecting the layered cultural realities of the Northeast.
Vice Chancellor Prof. N. Nagaraju, in his presidential remarks, emphasized the importance of examining the socio-cultural dimensions of music and encouraged similar academic engagements in the future.
Seminar Convenor Alankar Kaushik outlined the vision behind the programme following the ceremonial lamp lighting and felicitation of dignitaries.
Guest of Honour Evanisha Pathaw delivered an emotionally charged address, culminating in a soulful rendition of “Mayabini,” while Chief Guest Hemchandra Pathak reflected on his decades-long association with Garg, noting the artist’s rare ability to unify people through music.
Academic voices like Prof. Streamlet Dkhar further explored music’s connective power, offering poetic tributes to Garg’s enduring legacy.
A highlight of the seminar was the keynote lecture by author and filmmaker Parthajit Baruah, who urged the audience to interpret Zubeen Garg as a “cinematic text”—a cultural and visual force shaping the Northeast’s representation.
A reflective session and a plenary lecture on “Zubeen Garg as Political Sign” expanded this perspective, examining the artist’s role within socio-political discourse. The first day concluded with musical performances by students, bringing theory back into the realm of lived experience.
Across both days, interdisciplinary technical sessions—held in hybrid mode—delved into themes such as sonic politics, digital grief, counter-hegemonic imagination, and emotional healing through music.
Scholars explored how Garg’s work articulates belonging, engages with ecology and identity, and functions as a medium of resistance and emotional democracy. Discussions also situated him alongside cultural stalwarts like Bhupen Hazarika, Jayanta Hazarika, and Bishnu Rabha, mapping a broader cultural continuum of the region.
The seminar concluded with a deeply moving valedictory session. A comprehensive report by Shweta Sarkar was followed by an emotional address from Palme Borthakur of Royal Global University. Prof. Jyotirmoy Prodhani of North-Eastern Hill University remembered Zubben Garg as a “radical romantic” and a symbol of resistance, while legendary musician Lou Majaw shared personal memories of his friend.
In a poignant tribute session themed “Living a Zubeenisque Life: With/out Zubeen,” participants read personal messages dedicated to the late singer, many overcome with emotion. The Director remarked that Zubeen Garg’s presence could still be felt strongly among them, blurring the line between absence and memory.
The seminar concluded with a symbolic gesture—the planting of a Nahor sapling on campus, a tree beloved by Zubeen Garg.