Guwahati, Jan 3: The family of singer, composer and actor Zubeen Garg on Friday announced the formation of a trust in his name to carry forward social and cultural work aligned with his vision and ideals.

The decision was announced at a press conference in Guwahati by his wife Garima Garg and sister Palmee Borthakur. Garima Garg said the trust was formed after consultations with family members, relatives, well-wishers and associates from different fields.

Members of the Zubeen Fan Club will work closely with the trust. The family has also decided to donate their property at Kharghuli in Guwahati to serve as the trust’s operational base.

According to the family, the trust will focus on areas closely associated with Garg’s interests, including nature conservation and the promotion of young talent. It will also work on the scientific preservation of intellectual property rights related to his creative works and set up a research wing to study his life and contributions.

The trust will collaborate with the Kalaguru Artists Foundation, founded by Zubeen Garg, on social and cultural initiatives. It will also partner with the Abhinaya: Jonkie Borthakur Performing Arts Academy, named after his late sister, for programmes aimed at youth development.

The family said the initiative aims to preserve Zubeen Garg’s creative legacy, ideals and beliefs for future generations.

Zubeen Garg died at the age of 52 on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore, where he had gone to attend the Northeast Festival. A Special Investigation Team probing the incident has filed murder charges against festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, and band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta. His cousin Sandipan Garg has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Balshya, have been charged with criminal conspiracy and breach of trust in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds or property.