The world of music was left in shock after news broke that beloved Bollywood and Assamese star Zubeen Garg passed away at the age of 52.
The multi-talented singer, actor, and composer died last Friday in Bukit Merah, Singapore, following a tragic scuba diving incident.
Reports confirm that Garg experienced severe breathing difficulties underwater.
Despite immediate CPR and being rushed to Singapore General Hospital, doctors were unable to save him.
He was officially declared dead in the ICU at around 2:30pm IST.
A Festival That Turned Into Mourning
Just a day after the accident, Zubeen was scheduled to perform at the Northeast India Festival in Suntec City.
The festival’s director, Shaymkanu Mahanta, revealed that the devastating news came through an urgent call from Garg’s manager.
Mahanta later explained that members of the local Assamese community had taken Zubeen on a yacht trip without the organizers’ knowledge.
In light of the tragedy, the event was immediately cancelled.
Official Confirmation and State Mourning
According to the Times of India, Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Garg’s death certificate listed drowning as the cause of death.
However, the final post-mortem report is still pending.
Thousands of fans gathered at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday to pay their last respects to the actor and musician.
The Chief Minister also announced that Zubeen will be laid to rest on Tuesday, following a state mourning period.
A permanent memorial in his honor will be built on a 10-bigha land parcel in Hatimura, Kamarkuchi NC Village.
A Family in Grief
Zubeen leaves behind his wife of 23 years, Garima Saikia Garg, a respected costume designer, and their son, Gautam Garg.
Heartbreaking footage shared by ANI showed Garima weeping over her husband’s glass coffin, pressing her hands against it in grief as fans mourned alongside her.
Leaders and Icons Pay Tribute
Zubeen’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Shocked by the sudden demise of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music.
His renditions were very popular among people across all walks of life. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also remembered Garg, calling it a “terrible tragedy”:
“His voice defined a generation, and his talent was truly unmatched.
He overcame personal tragedies to reshape the landscape of Assamese music. His perseverance and courage have left an enduring mark. He will live on in our hearts and minds forever.”
A Career That Defined Generations
Zubeen’s journey began at just 19 years old, when he released his debut album Anamika in 1992.
His big Bollywood breakthrough came with the hit song “Ya Ali” from the 2006 film Gangster: A Love Story, which remains a defining track in Indian cinema.
Over the span of four decades, Garg recorded an astonishing 38,000 songs across more than 40 languages.
He wasn’t just a singer – he was a multi-instrumentalist, mastering 12 instruments including the tabla, guitar, drums, harmonica, mandolin, and keyboard.
As founder of the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation, Garg left an enduring cultural legacy.
Even today, he draws 2.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The Legacy Lives On
Despite his passing, Zubeen’s work will continue to reach audiences.
He has two unreleased films, Homework and Roi Roi Binale, both of which will now serve as bittersweet reminders of his talent.
For millions, Zubeen Garg was more than just a singer – he was the voice of Assam, an artist whose passion and music connected people across generations.
His sudden departure leaves a void that can never truly be filled, but his songs and spirit will live on forever.