Bollywood singer Niraj Sridhar arrived in Guwahati today for his appearance at the Howly Raas Mahotsav, but the visit quickly turned emotional as memories of his friend Zubeen Garg came to the forefront.
Speaking to the media at Borjhar Airport, Sridhar said he felt an overwhelming urge to visit Zubeen’s home before anything else. “No matter where I go, I don’t feel right. I just want to visit Zubeen’s home,” he said, holding back emotion. He added that he would also visit Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur to pay his respects.
Reflecting on their bond, Sridhar said they were not in regular contact, yet Zubeen always reached out on his own. “He kept calling and telling me everything himself. We didn’t realise what we had until he was gone. As they say, you never know the value of someone until they leave. Everyone felt it.”
He recalled a cherished memory of the icon: “Zubeen personally prepared and served me Puri Chabzi. The love he received from the people of Assam was immense; he shouldn’t have left us.”
In honour of his friend, Sridhar said he had begun practising the Assamese song ‘Mayabini’, despite not being familiar with Assamese music earlier.
The Howly Raas Mahotsav committee welcomed the singer warmly at the airport. Soon after, he left directly for Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur to pay homage to the artiste he described as irreplaceable.
