Celebrated Assamese singer, composer, and cultural icon Zubeen Garg passed away at the age of 52 following a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore. His sudden death has left a deep void in the hearts of fans across Assam, the Northeast, and the Indian music fraternity.
According to reports, Zubeen was pulled from the sea by Singapore police after he experienced severe complications during a dive. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Despite intensive medical intervention, doctors were unable to revive him.
Zubeen had travelled to Singapore to perform at the North East Festival, where he was scheduled to take the stage on the day of his passing. News of the accident spread quickly, with thousands of fans praying for his recovery. His untimely demise has come as a shock to the region, triggering a wave of grief and tributes.
Born Zubeen Borthakur on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, he rose to become one of Assam’s most influential and beloved cultural figures. A multitalented artist — singer, songwriter, composer, actor, and philanthropist — Zubeen worked across Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and many other regional languages, recording songs in over 40 languages throughout his illustrious career.
He was born into an Assamese Brahmin family, the son of Mohini Mohon Borthakur, a magistrate and poet known by the pen name Kapil Thakur, and the late Ily Borthakur, a singer. Named after global music legend Zubin Mehta, Zubeen faced personal tragedy with the loss of his sister Jonkey Borthakur in 2002, which inspired his heartfelt album Xixhu.
Zubeen Garg’s death marks the end of an era — but his voice, legacy, and cultural impact will continue to live on through his music.
