In a devastating blow to India’s music industry, renowned Assamese singer and multi-faceted artist Zubeen Garg has died at the age of 52 following a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore. The musician, born Zubeen Borthakur in 1972 in Meghalaya, was known for his extraordinary versatility across languages and musical traditions throughout his illustrious 33-year career.
Garg rose to national prominence in 2006 with his Bollywood breakthrough hit “Ya Ali” from the film *Gangster*, which earned him the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards. His distinctive voice subsequently graced numerous Hindi films including *Krrish 3*, *Namastey London*, and *Kaante*, establishing him as a crossover talent who transcended regional boundaries.
Beyond his Bollywood success, Garg maintained deep roots in Assamese and Bengali entertainment, singing in over 40 languages throughout his career. His 2003 debut in Bengali cinema with the film *Mon* marked the beginning of a significant contribution to Bengali music and film.
As Assam’s highest-paid singer, he demonstrated remarkable musical dexterity by mastering 12 instruments including dhol, tabla, and dotora. Throughout his career, Garg had effectively diversified his income streams through film work, live performances, and music sales across multiple regional markets.
Garg’s artistic talents extended well beyond singing. He directed and acted in numerous films, beginning with *Tumi Mor Matho Mor* in 2000, and later contributed to productions such as *Mission China* and *Rajneeti*. His creative lineage was notable; born into an Assamese Brahmin family, Garg’s mother was a singer and his father a poet and lyricist.
Personal tragedy had touched Garg’s life previously when his sister Jongki Borthakur, also an artist, died in a car accident in 2002. He was renowned for his meticulous sound preparation during concert tours, ensuring his distinctive vocal quality was perfectly presented to audiences. He was scheduled to perform at the Northeast Festival in Singapore before the tragic diving incident occurred. His active participation in Anti-CAA protests demonstrated his commitment to social causes alongside his artistic pursuits.
His unexpected passing now leaves a profound void in India’s cultural landscape, particularly in Assam, where he was considered a cultural icon and ambassador of regional artistry. The music industry mourns the loss of this extraordinary talent whose contributions to Indian music and cinema leave behind an enduring legacy across multiple artistic domains.
