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Guwahati: Assam and the entire Northeast plunged into grief on Friday as news broke of the untimely demise of legendary singer, composer, lyricist, and cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The beloved artist passed away in Singapore on Friday, September 19, around 2:40 p.m. IST.
According to reports, Zubeen was in Singapore to participate in the North East India Festival 2025. While details are still emerging, media reports suggest that the 52-year-old artist either suffered breathing difficulties during a scuba diving session or a seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island. Despite being given immediate CPR and rushed to the Singapore General Hospital, he was declared dead at the ICU around 2:30 p.m. IST.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Zubeen had travelled to Singapore with 11 Assamese residents living there, along with four other individuals, including two of his close associates. “The exact cause of death will be confirmed once the police report is released,” Sarma said in his statement.
The shocking news sent shockwaves across Assam, with hundreds of fans gathering on the streets of Guwahati and other towns to hold candlelight vigils, sing his songs, and pay tribute to the voice that had defined generations. Emotional scenes were witnessed across the state as people from all walks of life—students, professionals, and senior citizens—came together to mourn the loss of their “heartthrob.”
Zubeen Garg, born Zubeen Borthakur in Tura, Meghalaya, was more than just a singer. He was a singer-songwriter, composer, lyricist, music director, actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, and philanthropist. Over a career spanning three decades, he is estimated to have recorded 32,000 to 38,000 songs in more than 40 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and Nepali.
He is fondly remembered for Assamese classics like Mayabini and Mon Jai, as well as Bollywood chartbusters such as Ya Ali from Gangster and Dil Tu Hi Bataa from Krrish 3. His versatility and immense contribution to Indian music made him one of the country’s most celebrated voices.