Iconic Assamese Singer, Zubeen Garg, Dies In Singapore Scuba Diving Accident
Renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, known for ‘Ya Ali’ and countless hits, tragically passed away at 52 following a scuba diving accident in Singapore.
In a tragic development, celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has passed away at the age of 52 following a scuba diving accident in Singapore. The incident occurred while Zubeen Garg was in Singapore for the North East India Festival. It was organised by the High Commission of India, where he was serving as a Cultural Brand Ambassador and was scheduled to perform on September 20 and 21. According to festival representatives, Zubeen Garg experienced breathing difficulties during the dive.
“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 deceased in the ICU around 2.30 pm IST,” Anuj Kumar Boruah of the North East India Festival told NDTV.
Festival organisers confirmed to The Indian Express that members of the Assam Association Singapore accompanied him to the hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU but could not be revived.
Zubeen Garg was widely regarded as Assam’s most influential musical icon, celebrated for his unmatched voice and versatility. He reportedly began singing at the age of three, trained in tabla under Pandit Robin Banerjee for 11 years, and was introduced to Assamese folk music by Guru Ramani Rai.
Over his career, he performed in more than 40 languages and dialects, including Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Nepali, Sanskrit, and English.
A multi-instrumentalist, Zubeen Garg could play 12 instruments, ranging from the tabla and harmonium to guitar, drums, mandolin, and dotara.
While he dominated Assamese music, Zubeen Garg also left his mark on Bollywood. His breakthrough came with the chartbuster ‘Ya Ali’ from the 2006 film ‘Gangster’, followed by hits like ‘Dil Tu Hi Bataa’ from ‘Krrish 3’, ‘Subah Subah’, and ‘Kya Raaz Hai’. Beyond music, he also worked as an actor and director, with films such as ‘Kanchanjunga’, ‘Mission China’, ‘Dinabandhu’, and ‘Mon Jai’ turning into super hits.
Tributes poured in from across India. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mourned on X: “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons. Zubeen’s voice had an unmatched ability to energise people and his music spoke directly to our minds and souls. He has left a void that will never be filled.”
Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora wrote that Zubeen Garg’s music and spirit had inspired generations, while state cabinet minister Ashok Singhal described him as “more than a singer — the pride of Assam and the nation.”
Born in Meghalaya in 1972 as Zubeen Borthakur, he adopted the name Zubeen Garg in the 1990s, replacing his surname with his gotra name. He went on to become Assam’s highest-paid singer and a cultural phenomenon. In 2011, he was honoured as Guest Artist of the Year by the Assam Convention in Oakbrook, Chicago.
Zubeen Garg is survived by his wife, fashion designer Garima Saikia Garg. His sudden demise has left India mourning the loss of a towering cultural icon whose music crossed boundaries and touched millions.
