India has lost one of its most beloved voices. Zubeen Garg, the celebrated singer, composer, and actor from Assam, passed away on Friday, 19 September 2025, in Singapore following a tragic scuba diving accident. He was 52. Despite immediate medical attention and attempts to resuscitate him, doctors at a local hospital declared him dead. His sudden demise has left Assam, and indeed the entire country, in mourning.
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Early Life and Family
Zubeen Garg was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya. His father, Mohini M. Borthakur, was a magistrate and a poet who wrote under the pen name Kapil Thakur. His mother, the late Ily Borthakur, was a noted dancer, actress, and singer, though she never pursued her talent professionally. Zubeen always remembered his mother as his first guru. His younger sister, Jongki Borthakur, was also a singer and actress, but died tragically in a road accident in 2002. In her memory, he composed and released the Assamese album Xixu (Child).
Originally named Zubeen Borthakur, his given name was inspired by the legendary conductor Zubin Mehta, while his surname was derived from his family lineage. The Borthakur family hailed from Jorhat’s Jajori in Upper Assam.
Musical Journey
Zubeen’s life changed in 1992 when he won a gold medal at the Youth Festival for his performance in Western solo singing. That same year, his debut Assamese album Anamika was released, propelling him into the professional music world. The album’s runaway success established him as a household name.
Over the decades, Zubeen lent his voice to more than 20,000 songs across 40 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Oriya, among others. His versatility, coupled with his ability to master multiple instruments such as the dhol, tabla, guitar, mandolin, and keyboards, earned him a reputation as one of Assam’s most accomplished musicians.
National and Bollywood Success
Although he was already a cultural icon in Assam, Zubeen shot to national fame with the hauntingly beautiful track ‘Ya Ali’ from the Bollywood film Gangster (2006). The song became a nationwide sensation and remains one of his most celebrated works.
He went on to sing for numerous Hindi films including Fiza, Kaante, Krish 3, Namaste London, The Train, and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. He also composed music for Bengali films and won critical acclaim as music director for Shudhu Tumi. His Bollywood success never diminished his dedication to Assamese music, where he continued to produce hit albums and champion regional culture.
Film-making and Acting
Not content with singing alone, Zubeen also ventured into film-making. In 2000, he wrote, directed, and acted in the Assamese film Tumi Mor Matho Mor. He later co-directed and acted in Dinabandhu (2005), which won the National Award. His films Mission China (2017) and Kanchanjangha (2019) were landmark productions in Assamese cinema, the latter being released not only across India but internationally as well.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
In 2002, Zubeen married fashion designer Garima Saikia. Beyond music and film, he was deeply engaged in philanthropy and cultural activism. He worked tirelessly to support young artists in Assam, often providing platforms for emerging talent.
Mourning in Assam
Following news of his death, the Assam government announced that all school examinations would be postponed until after his funeral. From Guwahati University to remote villages, people gathered in grief, lighting candles and singing his songs. Many in Assam regard him, after Bhupen Hazarika, as a national cultural icon whose legacy transcends generations.
Singer, composer, instrumentalist, actor, director, and social worker—Zubeen Garg embodied versatility. His artistry was never confined to language or region; it spoke directly to the human heart. With his passing, Assam and India have lost not only a musical genius but a cultural torchbearer. His songs will continue to echo, carrying forward the voice of a legend who lived and died for his art.