The music world is in shock as Zubeen Garg, one of India’s most beloved singers and cultural icons from Assam, died on Friday at the age of 52. The artiste, best known nationwide for his Bollywood hit Ya Ali from Gangster (2006), lost his life after a freak scuba diving accident in Singapore.
Festival organisers of the upcoming North East India Festival confirmed that Garg was scheduled to headline the event this weekend. While diving earlier in the day, he developed breathing complications, was given CPR, and rushed to Singapore General Hospital. Despite doctors’ best efforts, he passed away in the ICU around 2:30 PM IST.
Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal was among the first to share the heartbreaking news. In a post on X, he wrote:
“Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. Assam has lost not just a voice, but a heartbeat. Zubeen da was more than a singer, he was the pride of Assam and the nation, whose songs carried our culture, our emotions, and our spirit to every corner of the world.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid tribute, calling him “Assam’s favourite son” and lamenting that his departure came “far too early.” Across the country, musicians, political leaders, and fans expressed disbelief, remembering him as a man whose music transcended borders.
The Voice of Generations
Zubeen Garg was not just a playback singer; he was a complete artist — a composer, actor, filmmaker, and instrumentalist who mastered more than a dozen instruments. He sang in over 40 languages, making him one of India’s most versatile voices.
While Bollywood audiences know him for Ya Ali, Garg’s artistry spanned multiple industries:
- Bollywood Hits: Ya Ali (Gangster), Dil Tu Hi Bataa (Krrish 3), Ya Ali Madad (Gangster soundtrack).
- Regional Favourites: O Bondhu Re, Pakhi Pakhi Aei Mon, Kajol Lota, Bhobai Nasilu, and hundreds of Assamese and Bengali classics.
His powerful yet soulful singing made him a household name in the Northeast and earned him national fame.
Zubeen Garg’s illustrious career was marked by numerous accolades and heartfelt recognition. In 2006, he won the Global Indian Film Award (GIFA) for Best Playback Singer for his chartbuster Ya Ali, which cemented his place in Bollywood’s music landscape. Over the years, he became Assam’s highest-paid singer, with a prolific career that spanned more than three decades, touching multiple genres and languages. Beyond the awards, the deepest honour came from his own people- in Thepabari, Assam, villagers built a bridge named after him as a symbol of their love and respect, reflecting the unparalleled bond he shared with his community.
Zubeen Garg’s sudden passing is not just the loss of a singer but the silencing of a cultural heartbeat. For millions, his songs carried comfort, pride, and identity. His music will remain immortal, but his absence leaves behind an emptiness that words cannot fill.
He is survived by his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and an ocean of fans who will continue to keep his legacy alive.
Om Shanti.
