SINGAPORE/GUWAHATI, Sept. 19, 2025 — Renowned Assamese singer, composer, and cultural icon Zubeen Garg passed away on Friday following a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore. He was 52.
Garg had traveled to Singapore to perform at the North East Festival, scheduled to begin later in the day. According to reports, the singer fell into the sea during a scuba diving session and was rescued by Singapore police. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, but succumbed to his injuries despite intensive medical care.
The news of his sudden demise has sent shockwaves across Assam and the Indian music fraternity. Garg was widely celebrated for his contributions to Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi music, having sung in over 40 languages and dialects. He was also a multi-instrumentalist, known to play more than a dozen instruments including the tabla, guitar, harmonium, dotara, and anandalahari.
Tributes poured in from political leaders, artists, and fans. Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal wrote, “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”. Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora echoed the sentiment, calling Garg a “cultural icon” whose music inspired generations.
Garg’s career spanned over three decades, with landmark hits such as “Ya Ali” from the Bollywood film Gangster, and numerous albums and film scores that shaped the soundscape of Northeast India. He was also known for his activism and outspoken views on regional and national issues.
He is survived by his wife, Garima Saikia Garg. His sister, Jongki Borthakur, also a singer and actress, had died in a car accident in 2002—a loss that deeply influenced Garg’s later work.
Authorities in Singapore have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Meanwhile, fans across India continue to mourn the loss of a voice that defined an era and gave expression to the soul of Assam. Memorial events are expected to be held in Guwahati and other cities in the coming days.
