The Durga Puja festivities in Assam this year have been notably subdued following the sudden demise of popular singer-composer Zubeen Garg, with many organisers opting to cancel cultural programmes while continuing only the essential rituals.

Officials from several puja committees told PTI that the timing of Zubeen Garg’s death made it difficult to celebrate the festival fully.

“We did not want to celebrate at all, but the annual rituals related to Durga Puja are important for us, so we are just observing those,” they said.

Rajib Kalita, organiser of the Geetanagar Durga Puja Committee, said the loss of the singer had shocked the entire state. “We had already started making arrangements for the festivities, and almost 80 per cent of the work was completed. The budget was Rs 1 crore, and

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