There are some voices that stay with us, even when silence settles. Zubeen Garg was one of them.
A Life in Song
Born Zubeen Borthakur on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen was raised in Assam — the land of rivers, tea, and many musical echoes. His mother, a singer, first nurtured his voice; his father, a lyricist and poet, shaped his love for words and stories. From very young, Zubeen showed the hunger and gift to sing, to play multiple instruments, and to reach across genres.
He didn’t limit himself. Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, many regional dialects — he sang in dozens of languages, played many instruments, composed, acted, directed. He made music that felt local, intimate, and also had the power to reach far beyond.
One of his signature moments came in 2006 with the song “Ya Ali” from the Bollywood film Gangster, which made him a national name. But that one song was only one star in a sky of many.
The Tragic End
On 19 September 2025, while in Singapore for the North East India Festival, Zubeen Garg suffered a fatal accident while scuba diving. Reports say he experienced breathing difficulties underwater, was rescued by authorities, rushed to Singapore General Hospital, but despite efforts, was declared dead in ICU. He was 52.
The grief that followed was immediate and deep. Assam lost more than a singer; a cultural voice was silenced. Fans, friends, fellow musicians — all mourned not just the loss of talent, but the warmth, the energy, the connection Zubeen had built over decades.
Filmography & Artistic Legacy
Zubeen’s work spans many roles: music director, composer, actor, director, producer. A few highlights to remember him by:
As Music Director / Composer (Selected Assamese Films)
- Hiya Diya Niya (2000)
- Tumi Mur Mathu Mur (2000)
- Nayak (2001)
- Prem Aru Prem (2002)
- Mon Jaai (2008)
- Mission China (2017)
- Kanchanjangha (2019)
- Dr. Bezbaruah 2 (2023)
- Homework (2025)
As Actor (Selected Films / Roles)
- Tumi Mur Matho Mur (2000, Assamese) – role: Hrishi
- Dinabandhu (2004) – Bipul
- Mon Jaai (2008) – Manab
- Mission China (2017) – Colonel Goswami
- Kanchanjangha (2019) – Anirban
- Dr. Bezbaruah 2 (2023) – DSP Mahadev Borbarua
Other Roles (Director / Producer / Screenwriter)
- Directed: Tumi Mur Mathu Mur; Mission China; Kanchanjangha
- Produced: Dinabandhu; Mission China; Kanchanjangha; Roi Roi Binale
What He Leaves Behind
Zubeen Garg’s power was not just in his powerful voice or his musical versatility. He carried Assam in his songs — its joys, its sorrows, its rhythms. He made music that felt like home, even when it played far away. His willingness to experiment, to mix genres and languages, to act, direct, produce — that restless creativity inspired many younger artists.
He also had a heart. Stories of him stepping up during crises, offering shelter, supporting causes, speaking up — he was more than performer. He was part of the social and cultural fabric of a place that loves deeply.
Shradhanjali
We light a candle not to forget. We carry his songs— those whispered lyrics, soaring melodies — in memory.
May Zubeen Garg rest in peace, his voice echoing every time someone hums Ya Ali, or listens to a Bihu tune, or sits by an Assamese river with a guitar.
His song is not over.
Courtesy: Team ChaiAurSamachaar