Shillong, Sep 24: Assam’s heartthrob Zubeen Garg, whose sudden death has brought millions onto the streets for days together, has sung songs in 40 dialects, including Garo language.
As the music legend, known for his flamboyant style and irreverent attitude, was consigned to flames on Tuesday, former singer and Ri-Bhoi based politician Riya Sangma revealed that Zubeen had sung Garo duet with her 20 years ago.
“Back in 2005, I had the rare blessing of recording a Garo song in Guwahati with Zubeen Da,” said Sangma, who unsuccessfully contested in 2023 assembly election from Jirang constituency on a BJP ticket.
Attributing Zubeen’s role in her career, she said, “At the time, I could hardly imagine how deeply that moment would shape my life. It was not just a recording session it was history in the making.”
She said the song titled “Srik Sriksa Niatre” had carried the soul of Garo culture into the wider world.
“Zubeen Da, though born in Tura, Garo Hills, had already become a towering figure in the music industry, yet he embraced our culture with such pride and love that it inspired me beyond words,” she said paying tributes to the popular singer, who also earned fame in Bollywood but decided to return to his home state.
“I feel deeply honoured to have stood beside him in the studio that day, sharing not just a melody but a memory that will forever remain a part of me. This is more than a tribute it is a reminder that legends like Zubeen Da never leave us; they live on through their songs, through the cultures they uplifted, and through the people whose lives they touched,” she said.
