Renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has sadly passed away at the age of 52 due to a scuba diving accident in Singapore. This incident took place while he was set to perform at the North East India Festival, which was scheduled to begin on September 19th. Reports indicate that Zubeen faced breathing difficulties while diving, lost consciousness, and was quickly rescued from the sea. He was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted to the ICU, but despite the medical team’s efforts, he did not survive his injuries. The news has caused profound distress throughout Assam and the Indian music community.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his deep condolences, describing Zubeen as “one of Assam’s favourite sons” and commending his unique ability to connect with audiences through music. Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal also offered his sympathies, recognizing Zubeen’s significant contributions to Assamese culture. Zubeen Garg was an iconic figure in Indian music, celebrated for his versatility across various languages, including Assamese, Telugu, Nepali, Hindi, and Bengali. He gained national recognition with the popular song Ya Ali from the 2006 Bollywood film Gangster and remained a beloved voice in both mainstream and regional music for many years.
His unexpected passing has created a significant void in India’s cultural sphere, leading to an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians. Zubeen is survived by his wife, Garima Garg.