Cultural icon Zubeen Garg, famed for Ya Ali and Assamese classics, passes away in Singapore at 52, triggering nationwide grief.
BY PC Bureau
September 19, 2025: Singer and cultural icon from Assam, Zubeen Garg, has passed away at the age of 52 following a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore.
According to PTI, Zubeen was in Singapore to attend the NorthEast Festival, a three-day cultural event scheduled to begin on September 20, where he was set to perform.
Reports said Zubeen sustained serious injuries while scuba diving. Singapore police rescued him from the sea and rushed him to a nearby hospital. Despite intensive medical care, he passed away in the intensive care unit.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Zubeen Garg’s passing. While scuba diving, he experienced breathing difficulties and was immediately given CPR before being rushed to Singapore General Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was declared dead in the ICU around 2.30 pm IST,” read a statement issued by the festival organisers.
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His sudden demise has shocked fans, colleagues, and the Assamese community, leaving a deep void in India’s cultural landscape.
Words fall short in moments like this. Zubeen Garg was more than a singer. He was a cultural torchbearer whose melodies brought people together, lifted spirits, and gave voice to our shared identity. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. May his soul find peace, and may his… pic.twitter.com/3wmdJ3RX8x
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) September 19, 2025
A Voice Beyond Borders
Often described as the voice of Assam and Northeast, Zubeen Garg was much more than just a singer. He rose to national prominence with his soulful track “Ya Ali” from the Bollywood film Gangster, which became a chartbuster across the country. His other Bollywood hits include “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from Krrish 3 and “Jaane Kya Chahe Man” from Pyaar Ke Side Effects.
Apart from Hindi, he sang in Assamese, Bengali, Nepali, and several other regional languages, building a loyal fanbase that spanned across diverse audiences in India and beyond.
Born in 1972 in Jorhat, Assam, Zubeen Garg was named after the iconic composer Zubin Mehta by his parents. He displayed an early interest in music and went on to become a multi-instrumentalist, mastering the tabla, dhol, keyboard, guitar, and various traditional Assamese instruments. Over his three-decade-long career, he released hundreds of albums in Assamese and other regional languages, and his concerts—whether in small towns of Assam or international stages—were known to draw thousands of passionate fans.
Beyond music, Zubeen was a cultural ambassador and an outspoken voice on social and political issues in Assam and the Northeast. He also ventured into acting, filmmaking, and philanthropy, supporting causes ranging from education for underprivileged children to environmental conservation. For many, he was not just a singer but a symbol of Assamese pride and resilience, someone who kept the state’s rich cultural heritage alive while bridging it with contemporary sounds.
আছে আৰু থাকিব ❤️💔#ZubeenGarg pic.twitter.com/sKVBtk3WLJ
— Jugal Das (@JugalDa00614923) September 19, 2025
Tributes Pour In
The news of Zubeen’s untimely death has triggered an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and leaders across India.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora wrote on X:
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of our cultural icon Zubeen Garg. His voice, music, and indomitable spiri
t inspired generations across Assam and beyond. My heartfelt condolences to his family, fans, and loved ones. Rest in peace, Legend.”
Actor Adil Hussain also expressed his sorrow:
“Devastated and shocked by the news of Zubeen Garg’s sudden demise in an accident in Singapore. His contribution to Assamese music and culture is extraordinary… He will live amongst us through his songs. Goodbye Zubeen… Until we meet on the other side.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he received the news from Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
“It is very painful news and an immense loss to the state and the nation,” Sarma remarked.
