Assam’s cultural icon, Zubine Garg, died on Friday (September 19, 2025) after a scuba diving in Singapore. He was 52 years old.
The organizers of the North East India Festival 2025 said that the famous singer, known for hits like gangster, Yi Ali and Krrish 3 to Dil Tu Hi Bata, died at 2:30 pm at the Gahanapur General Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) around 2:30 pm.
One of the organizers of the festival, a note from Anuj Kumar Borua said, “It is deeply saddened that we share the news of Zubeen Garg’s passing.
Garg was to perform at the festival on Saturday. The organizers of the festival said the event was canceled after his death.
Born in Tura of Meghalaya as Zubine Borthakur, the late artist was a singer-songwriter, musician, lyricist, music director, musicmaker, actor, film director, filmmaker, screenwriter and philanthropist. He sang mostly in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi film and music industries.
He is alive by his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, a fashion designer from Golaghat in East Assam.
Garg shot popularity with his first Assamese album Anamika released in 1992. Some of the album songs, Anuradha, Nayor, Mugdha Hia More and Gain Ki Anne, became chart-toppers. This was followed by a string of songs – they included Xapunor Xur, Junaki Mon, Maya and Asha – made him a heart among the younger generations.
Sympathy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was surprised by the sudden demise of the popular singer. “He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music. His rendering was very popular among people in all areas of life. Condolences to his family and fans,” he posted on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that “the iconic singer, musician and film personality” left a void which would never be filled.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed condolences to the death of the icon. “This is a tragic and painful event. I will discuss how we can bring his mortal remains [to the country]”He told reporters, after reducing his campaign for Bodoland Territorial Council election.
When taken to the X, he posted: “Today, Assam has lost one of his favorite sons. I am a disadvantage to what the zubine means for Assam. He has gone very early; It was not an age to go. It was not an age to go. The voice of the zubin had a beige ability to make people energetic, and his music spoke directly to our minds and spirits.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the late singer’s evergreen songs would inspire talented artists for the coming generations, while his cabinet colleagues Sarbananda Sonowal and Pabitra Margerita said that they died “Assam, our nation and music had an irreparable loss to the whole world.
Mr. Sonowal also said that he confirmed the death of the singer from Shilpak Ambul, India’s High Commissioner.
Congress President Mallikrajun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi said that the passing of the singer was a terrible tragedy. “His voice defined a generation, and his talent was really unmatched. He overcame individual tragedies to re -shape the landscape of Assamese music,” Mr. Gandhi said.
Assam Congress President and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the death of singing sensation was shocking. He said, “His music touched millions, to capture the spirit of Assam and to give voice to the feelings of the people. For decades, he stood as a cultural power, an artist whose song will continue to inspire and unite. This untimely disadvantage leaves a deep zero in our music and cultural life,” he said.
Garg’s roots were in full swing.
Bodoland Territorial Council chief Pramod Boro, Risor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, Assam Jatia Parishad President Lurinjayoti Gogoi, and all Assam students’ Union Advisor Samajal Bhattacharya Garg’s “Dihard fans”, who posted condemnation messages.
Published – September 19, 2025 04:02 pm IST