New Delhi, 19 September, 2025: The Indian music industry is reeling from the sudden demise of celebrated Assamese and Bollywood playback singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away on Friday in Singapore at the age of 52. Known for his soulful and versatile voice, Garg’s untimely death has left a deep void in India’s cultural and musical landscape.
According to reports, Zubeen was in Singapore to participate in the North East Festival, where he was scheduled to perform on the same day. However, tragedy struck during a scuba diving session.
What Happened in Singapore?
Initial reports reveal that Garg suffered a severe accident while scuba diving. He reportedly lost consciousness underwater and was immediately rescued by the Singapore police. Sources say the singer sustained a serious head injury and was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.
The North East India Festival later confirmed in a statement that the singer had experienced breathing difficulties during the dive. Efforts were made to resuscitate him with CPR before he was transferred to Singapore General Hospital. Despite being placed under intensive care, doctors were unable to revive him, and he was declared dead around 2:30 PM IST.
His sudden passing has shocked not only his fans in Assam but also music lovers across India and abroad.
A Prolific and Versatile Career
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Zubeen Garg became one of India’s most versatile musical icons. His Bollywood hits, including “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006), “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from Krrish 3 (2013), and “Yeh Kaisi Jagah” from Hamari Adhuri Kahani (2015), established him as a household name across the country.
Beyond Bollywood, Garg’s contribution to Assamese music was immeasurable. His songs reflected the soul of Assam, blending traditional folk tunes with contemporary sounds, and resonated with audiences far beyond the region. He recorded songs in more than a dozen languages—including Hindi, English, Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, and Manipuri—proving his versatility and wide appeal.
With an extraordinary 32,000 songs recorded over his career, Garg was even in contention for a Guinness World Record, making him one of the most prolific singers in the world.
Shock and Mourning
Tributes have poured in from across India and abroad. Fans describe him as “the heartbeat of Assam” and “the voice of a generation.” The Assamese community, both in India and overseas, has expressed profound grief, saying that the state has lost not only a singer but also a cultural icon who represented its spirit on the global stage.
At just 52, Zubeen Garg’s life ended far too soon, cutting short the journey of an artist whose voice had become synonymous with emotion, pride, and identity. His tragic passing during what was supposed to be a celebratory event has made the loss even harder to comprehend.
Though gone, his songs will continue to live on—immortalizing his passion and artistry for generations to come.
A Versatile Voice That Transcended Borders
Zubeen Garg was not just a singer—he was a phenomenon. Known for blockbuster tracks like “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006), “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from Krrish 3 (2013), and “Yeh Kaisi Jagah” from Hamari Adhuri Kahani (2015), Garg carved a special place in Bollywood playback singing. His unique style, powerful voice, and emotional depth made every song unforgettable.
But beyond Bollywood, Garg was a towering figure in Assam’s cultural landscape. His Assamese songs became anthems of identity and pride, connecting deeply with generations of listeners. His ability to seamlessly perform in different languages showcased his versatility—he recorded tracks in Hindi, English, Manipuri, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and many more.
