Guwahati, September 19, 2025: Assam and the entire Indian music fraternity are in mourning after the sudden death of Zubeen Garg, one of the most iconic voices from the Northeast. The 52-year-old singer, composer, and cultural ambassador died in Singapore following a tragic scuba diving accident.
Zubeen had travelled to Singapore to participate in the 4th North East India Festival, where he was scheduled to perform as the Cultural Brand Ambassador on September 20–21.
According to reports, he was engaged in a scuba diving session when he experienced breathing difficulties underwater. He lost consciousness during the dive. Rescue teams rushed him out of the water, performed CPR, and immediately shifted him to Singapore General Hospital. Despite doctors’ best efforts in the Intensive Care Unit, he was declared dead around 2:30 PM IST.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed shock and grief over the tragic demise. In a heartfelt post on X, he wrote:
“Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons. I am in a loss of words to describe what Zubeen meant for Assam. He has gone too early, this was not an age to go.”
The Chief Minister praised Zubeen’s unmatched ability to connect with people:
“His music spoke directly to our minds and souls. He has left a void that will never be filled. Future generations will remember him as a stalwart of Assam’s culture.”
Sarma also recalled the singer’s humanitarian side, saying his compassion and passion for helping people would never be forgotten.
Born in 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen Garg rose to prominence as one of Assam’s most beloved singers. His career spanned multiple languages including Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and several regional tongues.
He achieved nationwide fame with the Bollywood song Ya Ali from the film Gangster (2006), which became an instant chartbuster. Beyond Bollywood, Zubeen’s repertoire included thousands of Assamese songs that became timeless classics. He was not only a singer but also a composer, actor, director, and philanthropist.
Over the years, Zubeen became more than an artist—he turned into an emotion for millions of fans. His concerts drew huge crowds, and his ability to blend folk, modern, and devotional music made him a versatile cultural icon.
The news of Zubeen’s death has devastated fans across Assam and the Northeast. Emotional tributes flooded social media, with admirers calling him the “soul of Assamese music.” Cultural organisations have described his passing as a “monumental loss” that has left an irreplaceable void in India’s musical landscape.
Many fans recalled his simplicity, activism, and his close connection with ordinary people. From charity work to cultural preservation, Zubeen’s contributions went far beyond music.
Zubeen Garg is survived by his wife, fashion designer Garima Saikia Garg, along with millions of fans who considered him Assam’s eternal “rockstar.”
As the state comes to terms with this devastating loss, Zubeen’s voice and music will continue to echo in the hearts of generations to come.
