As New Year 2026 opens its first page in the life of, the land steps forward with folded hands and moist eyes. The farewell to 2025 is not written only in calendars, but etched into memory—because Assam lost some of its most familiar cultural voices, faces, and emotions during the year gone by. It was a year when songs stopped midway, laughter paused abruptly, and screens turned quiet.
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| Zubeen Garg |
Zubeen Garg (1972–2025) was an Assamese singer-composer, actor, and filmmaker whose work redefined modern Assamese music and bridged Northeast Indian culture with national audiences. Known as the “Voice of Assam” and “Bard of the Brahmaputra,” he recorded over 38,000 songs in 40 languages, blending folk roots with contemporary soundscapes. Zubeen Garg was not just a singer, but the emotional heartbeat of Assam, whose demise in 2025 plunged the state into collective mourning. A multifaceted musical genius—singer, composer, lyricist, and cultural icon—Zubeen Garg gave voice to the joys, struggles, love, and pain of ordinary people. His songs transcended genres and generations, blending folk roots with contemporary expression, and became inseparable from Assamese identity itself. Beyond music, he stood as a fearless voice for social consciousness, humanity, and regional pride. Though his physical presence is gone, Zubeen Garg lives on in every melody sung by the youth, every festival echoing his voice, and every heart that finds solace in his music—an eternal legend whose legacy will never fade.
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| Deepak Sharma |
Deeppak Sharma is an Indian classical flautist known for his expressive playing style rooted in the Hindustani classical tradition. Performing primarily on the bansuri (bamboo flute), he represents a generation of instrumentalists blending rigorous raga discipline with a lyrical, contemporary sensibility. Deepak Sharma was a revered flute maestro whose passing in 2025 marked a profound loss for Assam’s musical and cultural world. With breath and bamboo, he wove melodies that felt like flowing rivers—gentle yet powerful, meditative yet deeply emotional. His flute spoke a universal language, carrying echoes of classical discipline, folk soul, and spiritual calm, captivating audiences across generations. Deepak Sharma’s artistry was not confined to performance alone; it inspired learners, enriched cultural gatherings, and elevated the dignity of instrumental music in Assam. Though his hands now rest in silence, the notes he released into the world continue to linger—soft, eternal, and luminous—ensuring that his legacy lives on in every heart that listens.
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| Gayatri Hazarika |
Gayatri Hazarika (1981–2025) was a celebrated Assamese playback and folk singer known for her fusion of traditional Assamese melodies with contemporary musical forms. Her evocative voice and lyrical artistry made her one of Assam’s most admired modern performers until her death from colon cancer in May 2025 at the age of 44. Gayatri Hazarika was a soulful voice of Assam whose untimely passing in 2025 left a deep void in the cultural heart of the state. Known for her emotional depth and graceful command over Assamese melodies, Gayatri Hazarika sang not merely with technique but with an honesty that touched everyday lives—echoing love, longing, resilience, and the quiet strength of Assamese identity. Her songs carried the fragrance of the soil, the rhythm of rivers, and the tenderness of human emotions, making her a beloved presence across generations. Though her life ended too soon, her voice continues to live on—in memories, recordings, and the collective conscience of Assam—reminding us that true art never dies, it only transforms into legacy.
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| Rajib Sadiya |
Rajib Sadiya (1984–2025) was an Assamese singer and performer known for his melodic contributions to modern Assamese music. Active for over two decades, he was admired for blending regional folk elements with contemporary sounds, leaving a deep imprint on Assam’s cultural landscape. Rajib Sadiya was a beloved voice of Assam whose untimely demise in 2025 left admirers and fellow artists in deep sorrow. Known for his earthy tone and heartfelt expression, Rajib Sadiya sang with a sincerity that resonated strongly with the common people, especially the youth. His songs reflected everyday emotions—love, hope, pain, and resilience—rooted firmly in Assamese culture and sensibility. Humble in nature yet powerful in performance, he earned respect not only for his musical talent but also for his dedication to regional art and identity. Though his journey was cut short, Rajib Sadiya’s voice continues to echo in memories and melodies, ensuring that his contribution to Assamese music remains alive and cherished.
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| Phailao Basumatary |
Phailao Basumatary (also known as Fwilao or Phwilao Basumatary) was a celebrated Assamese and Bodo comedian, actor, and singer from Assam, India. Best known for his endearing role as “Basuda” in the long-running Assamese television sitcom Beharbari Outpost, he became a beloved figure in regional entertainment for his humor, warmth, and cultural pride. He was a cherished comedian and actor of Assam whose passing in 2025 brought an end to an era of laughter rooted in everyday life. Widely loved for his memorable performances, especially in the popular comedy series Beharbari Outpost, Phailao Basumatary had a rare gift for portraying common characters with warmth, simplicity, and sharp humor. His comedy was never superficial; it reflected social realities, human flaws, and local culture with gentle satire and natural acting. Through his work, he brought smiles to countless homes and became a familiar, comforting presence for audiences across generations. Though he is no longer with us, his humor, characters, and contribution to Assamese entertainment continue to live on—reminding us that true laughter is timeless.
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| Shaiyad Shaddullah |
Shaiyad Shaddullah was an Assamese radio artist and cultural figure associated with All India Radio Guwahati. Active during the early years of Assamese broadcasting, he was known for his distinctive voice work, contributions to radio drama, and promotion of regional performing arts through the medium of public radio. Shaiyad Shaddullah was a respected and beloved radio artist of Assam whose passing marked a quiet yet profound loss to the world of sound and storytelling. With a distinctive voice and remarkable emotional control, he brought life to radio programmes that entertained, informed, and comforted listeners for decades. At a time when radio was the most intimate companion of households, Shaiyad Shaddullah’s voice became a trusted presence, connecting people across distances and generations. His dedication to the art of broadcasting enriched Assamese oral culture and preserved the beauty of voice-based performance. Though the airwaves have fallen silent without him, his voice continues to echo in memory—an enduring symbol of a golden era of Assamese radio.
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| Ramcharan Bharali |
Ramcharan Bharali (1939–2025) was an eminent Assamese folk artist celebrated for popularizing Nagara Naam, a devotional musical form rooted in the Neo-Vaishnavite traditions of lower Assam. Revered as “Nagara Surya,” he was the first folk performer in Assam to receive a government pension, symbolizing his lifelong contribution to preserving indigenous culture. Ramcharan Bharali was a respected figure in Assam’s cultural landscape whose demise in 2025 was deeply mourned by admirers and fellow artists alike. Known for his dedication to Assamese art, culture, and performance traditions, Ramcharan Bharali contributed quietly yet meaningfully to preserving the cultural ethos of the region. His work reflected sincerity, discipline, and a deep connection with the roots of Assamese society, earning him respect beyond fame or popularity. More than an artist, he was a cultural torchbearer whose commitment inspired younger generations. Though he is no longer among us, Ramcharan Bharali’s contribution continues to live on through the values he upheld and the cultural spirit he nurtured.
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| Jnanada Kakati |
Gyanada Kakaty (also known as Jnanada Kakati) was a pioneering Assamese actress, singer, and radio announcer whose career helped define the golden era of Assamese cinema. Active from the late 1940s, she gained international recognition when her film Puberun (1959) became the first Assamese movie screened at the Berlin International Film Festival. She passed away in Shillong in January 2025, aged 93–94. Gyanada Kakaty was a graceful and respected figure in Assam’s cultural and intellectual sphere, whose passing in 2025 was felt as a personal loss by many. Known for her refined sensibility, commitment to Assamese values, and quiet strength, Gyanada Kakaty contributed meaningfully to the cultural consciousness of the state through her engagement with art, literature, and social life. She represented a generation that upheld dignity, simplicity, and cultural responsibility, inspiring younger minds through example rather than display. Though she has departed from this world, her influence continues to resonate in the cultural spaces she enriched and in the memories of those who admired her life of purpose and grace.
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| Prafulla Gobinda Baruah |
Prafulla Gobinda Baruah (1932–2025) was an eminent Assamese journalist, editor, and cultural figure who led The Assam Tribune Group for over half a century. Widely regarded as the doyen of journalism in Northeast India, he shaped media ethics, education, and cultural life in Assam through his leadership, civic engagement, and public service. Prafulla Gobinda Baruah was a respected name in Assam’s cultural and social sphere, remembered for his sincerity, dedication, and lifelong commitment to the values of Assamese society. His contributions—whether through cultural engagement, community involvement, or quiet service—reflected a deep sense of responsibility toward people and tradition. Prafulla Gobinda Baruah belonged to a generation that believed in integrity, humility, and collective progress, and he earned admiration not through publicity but through consistent work and moral strength. His passing marked the loss of a gentle yet impactful presence, but his life continues to inspire through the ideals he upheld and the positive influence he left on those who knew him.
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| Hemanta Dutta |
Hemanta Dutta (1941–2025) was a celebrated Assamese playwright, lyricist, director, actor, and cultural reformer whose work shaped modern Assamese theatre and music. Known as a pioneer of Assam’s mobile theatre movement, he was instrumental in blending cinematic imagination with live performance to popularize theatre across the state. Hemanta Dutta was a respected figure in Assam’s cultural and social milieu, remembered for his sincerity, dedication, and quiet contribution to the enrichment of Assamese society. Through his involvement in cultural activities and community life, he reflected a deep attachment to tradition, values, and collective harmony. Hemanta Dutta was admired not for loud recognition but for his steady commitment, humility, and sense of responsibility toward people and culture. His passing created a silent void among those who knew him and worked alongside him, yet his legacy continues to live on in the cultural spirit he nurtured and the memories of a life lived with purpose and dignity.
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| Anubhab Tuloshi |
Anubhab Tuloshi is an Assamese cultural personality known for his contributions to theater, acting, and regional arts promotion in Assam. Active in the Assamese cultural circuit, he is associated with efforts to popularize indigenous performing traditions, community storytelling, and contemporary adaptations of Assamese stage and television productions. He was a promising and sensitive presence in Assam’s cultural space, whose untimely passing left many hearts heavy with grief. Known for his creative inclination, gentle demeanor, and deep emotional connection with art and society, Anubhab Tuloshi represented the voice and vision of a younger generation that carried both tradition and modern sensibility. His work and involvement reflected sincerity, thoughtfulness, and a quiet passion to contribute meaningfully to the cultural fabric of Assam. Though his journey was brief, the impact of his life continues to be felt through memories, unfinished dreams, and the inspiration he leaves behind—reminding us that even a short life can leave a lasting imprint.
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| Timthi Das Hanse |
Timthi Das Hanse is an Assamese cultural personality, Director, film maker, known for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of the traditional arts and heritage of Assam, India. He is recognized for his role in fostering awareness of indigenous practices, particularly in music and community-based cultural initiatives across the region. Timthi Das Hanse was a gentle and dedicated soul whose presence enriched Assam’s social and cultural environment through sincerity, compassion, and quiet commitment. Remembered for her warm nature and thoughtful engagement with people and community, she reflected values of empathy, responsibility, and cultural rootedness. Timthi Das Hanse’s life, though not marked by loud acclaim, touched many through simple acts of kindness and meaningful participation in social and cultural life. Her passing left behind a sense of loss that words can scarcely capture, yet her memory continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew her and in the values she embodied—proof that grace and goodness leave an enduring legacy.
Together, these departures made 2025 a year of collective cultural mourning. Assam did not just lose individuals; it lost laughter, rhythm, voices, expressions, and living memories. Yet within this grief lies a duty—to remember, to document, to honour, and to protect the cultural legacy they left behind.
As 2026 begins, Assam must walk forward with remembrance as its strength. Let this new year be one where artists are valued in their lifetime, culture is preserved with sincerity, and creativity is protected as a living heritage.
We welcome 2026 not with forgetfulness, but with gratitude.
We step ahead carrying songs unsung, jokes unfinished, roles remembered, and melodies eternal.
Welcome, 2026.
May you heal what 2025 wounded,
and may Assam rise—rooted in memory, moving with hope.
