The heartbreaking news arrived from Singapore through multiple media outlets, leaving the people of Assam shocked and baffled. The young generation, who were born in eastern India and grew up listening to the melodious voice of iconic singer Zubeen Garg, reacted with outrage. The sadness and grief soon turned into anger with a vital question: why was Zubeen taken to Singapore when he had not been physically well for months ?
Millions of his fans were further upset after seeing video clips on social media showing the singing sensation swimming in the sea (without a life jacket), even though doctors in Guwahati had advised him to avoid both fire and water bodies. Netizens cried foul, questioning why the tragic incident was not properly reported, even though a group of Assamese people had accompanied Zubeen to participate in the North East India Festival organized in the Southeast Asian nation on 19, 20, and 21 September 2025.
For nearly five days, Assam came to a standstill. Marketplaces were closed, streets deserted, and people gathered at roadside points with life-size portraits to pay homage to their beloved “Prince of Melody.” Newspapers dedicated their front pages exclusively to Zubeen-related developments, and news channels broadcast every update—truly 24 hours a day. Hundreds of thousands of admirers poured onto the streets from Guwahati International Airport to his residence in the prehistoric city. Thousands arrived from different parts of Northeast India, turning the city into a sea of mourners— weeping, sobbing, crying, and exclaiming why Zubeen was “put to die” in the sea thousands of kilometers away from his motherland.
Born to the modest family of Mohini Mohon Borthakur (a retired magistrate with the pen name Kapil Thakur) and Ily Borthakur (a classical singer, who passed away a few years ago) in Tura, Meghalaya, adjacent to western Assam, on 18 November 1972, Zubeen was named Jiban Borthakur during his childhood. He had two sisters—Jonkey (who died in a road accident while traveling to perform at a cultural show) and Palme, a city-based professional. Married to popular fashion designer Garima Saikia in 2002, Zubeen achieved instant national fame with his soulful rendition of the song Ya Ali for the Bollywood movie Gangster (2006).
An animal lover, philanthropist, and versatile genius, Zubeen sang thousands of songs in multiple languages and could play numerous musical instruments. He was the face of Assam’s hugely popular Bihu functions in recent decades, received many awards, and also produced and acted in Assamese movies.
When confusing and unauthenticated reports about his sudden demise in Singapore started circulating, it was difficult to ascertain how Zubeen had died—whether it was a mishap during paragliding, scuba diving, yachting, or any usual sea outing. The widely circulated newspaper The Straits Times reported on 19 September that Zubeen was admitted in critical condition to Singapore General Hospital after a freak accident, from where the police had rescued him from the sea and rushed him to the hospital. Although doctors provided treatment in the intensive care unit and monitored him closely, they could not save him.
Meanwhile, several police complaints were lodged across Assam demanding stringent action against those involved in the series of events that ultimately led to Zubeen’s unfortunate death.
Zubeen’s mortal remains were received by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at New Delhi International Airport and flown to Guwahati on 21 September. A flower-decked ambulance carried him through unprecedented crowds to his Kahilipara residence and later to Sarusajai Stadium, where Zubeen was placed inside a glass casket for public viewing and homage. He was cremated on 23 September at Kamarkuchi near Guwahati with full state honors after four days of mourning.
Thousands of people, who attended his funeral under the scorching sunlight, chanted in unison, “Zubeen Garg will live forever,” vowing that he would remain in the hearts of Assam and Asomiyas for generations to come.
Probably after the demise of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (8 September 1926 – 5 November 2011), the widely acclaimed singer, musician, writer, filmmaker, and public communicator, the people of the eastern Indian subcontinent have never grieved so collectively over such an unforeseen loss.
Biday Zubeen…