'Mayabini': Kaziranga welcomes baby elephant; named after Zubeen Garg's song

NEW DELHI: A newborn elephant calf at Assam ’s Kaziranga National Park has been named Mayabini after late singer Zubeen Garg ’s famous song.

Assam's environment and forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the female calf was born to an elephant named Kuwari.

“Heartening news on #WorldAnimalDay — Kuwari, the elephant of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, has given birth to a healthy female calf!” Patowary posted on X on Saturday night.

“With immense affection and public goodwill, we’ve named her Mayabini — a symbol of new life, hope and harmony in the wild,” he added.

Heartening news on #WorldAnimalDay — Kuwari, the elephant of @kaziranga_ has given birth to a healthy female calf! With immense affection and public goodwill, we’ve named her “MAYABINI” — a symbol of new life, hope, and harmony in the wild.@himantabiswa @CMOfficeAssam… pic.twitter.com/JcPljdN6IU

— Chandra Mohan Patowary (@cmpatowary) October 4, 2025

The name holds emotional value for fans of Garg, whose song ‘Mayabini Ratir Buku’, meaning “magical night’s heart” — was played and sung during his last rites. Garg had once said he wanted this song to be sung when he dies.

Zubeen Garg, a cultural icon in Assam and the Northeast of India, died during scuba diving in Singapore last month.