A trust in the name of late cultural icon Zubeen Garg will soon be formed to preserve his artistic work, protect his legacy, and promote cultural and research activities related to his life. This was announced at a press conference in Guwahati on Friday, where his wife Garima Garg, along with close family members and associates, spoke in detail about the upcoming initiative.
Speaking to the media, Garima said that the family has decided to dedicate their residence in Kharghuli for the functioning of the Zubeen Garg Trust. She explained that this trust is being formed so that the work started by Zubeen during his lifetime does not stop and can continue meaningfully in the future. She said the trust will focus on art, culture, music, social service and research, as these were areas that were always close to Zubeen’s heart. Garima added that the family has also decided to donate the Kharguli property for social work, so that it can be used for cultural activities, creative programmes and welfare initiatives linked to the trust.
Garima expressed gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the government’s support. Referring to the Chief Minister’s statement, she said that the government has provided Rs 2 crore 90 lakh to the Kalaguru Artists’ Foundation in the name of Zubeen Garg, and the family is thankful for this gesture. She said the family hopes that the government and the people of Assam will continue to support efforts to preserve the memory and legacy of the late artiste, who remains deeply loved across the state. 
She further said that the family believes the coming days should be peaceful and positive, and also mentioned that they remain hopeful that justice will eventually be delivered in the case related to Zubeen’s death. According to her, it is now the joint responsibility of family members, friends and admirers to ensure that Zubeen’s work and ideals do not fade away with time.
Explaining the structure of the upcoming trust, family associate Palmee Borthakur said that three wings will work under the Zubeen Garg Trust. Two of these wings are already active — the Kalaguru Artists’ Foundation and Abhinaya Performing Arts, which had earlier been set up in the name of Zubeen’s sister. The third wing will be a Research Wing that will focus on detailed study and documentation of Zubeen’s life, music, social involvement and creative contributions. This research work will also include preservation of his intellectual property, including songs, writings and other creative assets. Palmee said that the trust will act as an umbrella organisation guiding these activities, and the work will continue in a way that matches what Zubeen had always believed in.
The family clearly stated that the trust will function independently and will not come under the control of any political party or organisation. They said that senior personalities and responsible individuals from the social and cultural fields will be part of the trust to ensure proper management and transparency. The main purpose of the trust is to preserve Zubeen’s artistic creations, safeguard his cultural and social contributions, and promote research-based documentation and archiving for future generations.
During the press conference, Garima said that Zubeen always worked closely with the people of Assam and stayed connected to society through his music and social activities. She said he worked tirelessly, and therefore the family now feels it is their duty to carry forward his legacy in a responsible manner. She said she believes that Zubeen’s ideals, discipline and creative energy should continue to inspire young people in Assam and beyond.
The decision to establish the trust has come after nearly three and a half months of discussions among family members and close friends such as Partha Sarathi Mahanta and Gautam Sarma, along with well-wishers who had shared close bonds with Zubeen. They said the idea is not only to preserve his memories, but also to protect his dreams, thoughts and values so that future generations can understand and learn from his journey.
The Kalaguru Foundation will continue its cultural work under the trust. Abhinaya Performing Arts will also go on promoting theatre and performing arts, especially among younger artists and students. The proposed Research Wing will slowly build a detailed archive of Zubeen’s creative journey by collecting recordings, handwritten notes, writings, compositions and other original work. Over time, the trust also hopes to develop an organised cultural resource centre where researchers, students, journalists and music lovers can study his life and contributions.
The initiative has already received support from a wide range of people connected to Zubeen, including his friends from student days, artists, senior and junior figures from the social and administrative sectors, media representatives and members of the Zubeen Fan Club. The Fan Club, which Zubeen had once fondly described as his “army”, has expressed happiness that his legacy will now be preserved in a structured way.
Bhaskar, a close friend of Zubeen, said that the trust will place special attention on public health and community welfare as well. He said that health camps have already been organised in remote and rural areas in Zubeen’s name, and similar programmes will continue in the future so that people living in interior regions with limited medical access can receive basic healthcare.
The family explained that the trust is meant to be a permanent platform for preserving, protecting and promoting Zubeen’s creative and social journey. They said he still lives in the hearts of the people of Assam, and his music and thoughts continue to inspire thousands. Through the trust, they hope to keep his dreams alive and ensure that the values he believed in continue to reach the next generation.
One of the key announcements made by Garima was that the residence in Kahilipara will now be fully dedicated to the working of the trust. This space will be used for planning, coordination, meetings and cultural activities linked to the trust’s objectives. The Kharguli property, which has special emotional value for the family, will also be used for social and cultural work.
The family said the trust is not meant to function only as a memorial. Instead, it will work as a living institution that encourages new ideas, supports young talent and promotes meaningful cultural work. They expressed hope that people from across Assam and beyond will continue to support the values Zubeen believed in, such as honesty, creativity, social responsibility and love for culture.
