Renowned Assamese singer and cultural stalwart Zubeen Garg has died at the age of 52 after suffering a seizure while swimming off Singapore’s Lazarus Island. The incident occurred on September 19, during his visit to the city-state for the North East India Festival, where he was scheduled to perform. Despite being rescued and rushed to Singapore General Hospital, he was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m.
According to his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, the widely reported claims of a scuba diving mishap were inaccurate. “Zubeen, along with seven or eight others, including drummer Shekhar and Sidhartha, went to the island on a yacht. They swam together and returned to the shore on the yacht. All of them were wearing life jackets. But Zubeen went to swim again and suffered a seizure attack. He suffered seizure attacks on several occasions earlier but escaped death. Other team members rescued him after seeing something unusual. He was kept in the ICU at Singapore General Hospital for about two hours,” she said.
The singer’s remains were flown back to Assam on September 21. Thousands of fans and mourners gathered at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium to pay their respects before his cremation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who personally oversaw the arrangements, called Garg’s passing “a loss beyond words,” adding,
“Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons, and I am at a loss for words to describe what Zubeen meant for the state. He has gone too early; this was not an age to go. His unique voice stirred the masses, creating music that touched the hearts and souls of people from all walks of life. His untimely death will leave a void that will never be filled.”
Tributes poured in across India and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Shocked by the sudden demise of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music. His renditions were very popular among people across all walks of life. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered Garg as an artist who “mesmerized listeners for decades with his golden voice and wove the threads of unity across the country with his timeless music,” while Bollywood musician Armaan Malik echoed the sentiment, saying: “Today, singing it feels heavier than ever. Can’t believe he is no more and it breaks my heart that I never got the chance to truly know him properly, a wish that will forever remain unfulfilled.”
Actor Adil Hussain, singer Jubin Nautiyal, and composer A.R. Rahman, Pritam and Vishal Mishra also expressed their condolences.
Back in Assam, schools postponed examinations and prayer services were held in satras, naamghars, temples, and mosques. Crowds gathered outside Garg’s residence in Kahilipara and at the historic Latasil playground, lighting candles and singing his evergreen hits. Many recalled how the artist had once told students at a college event that he wished his song “Mayabini Ratir Bukut” be played on the day of his death—a request fans honoured in candlelight vigils.
Born in 1972, Zubeen Garg rose to fame with his debut album Anamika (1992) and went on to record more than 35,000 songs in over 40 languages. He became a household name in Bollywood with “Ya Ali” from the 2006 film Gangster, but his deepest cultural imprint remained in Assamese music and cinema. Widely respected as a singer, actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist, he was also vocal about social causes and Assamese identity.
Assamese authorities have filed FIRs against North East Festival organizers Syamkanu Mahanta and Sidharth Sarma for alleged safety lapses. Investigations are underway in coordination with Singaporean authorities.
For fans across the Northeast, Zubeen Garg was more than a musician; he was a cultural force. As tributes continue to pour in, his voice—and his legacy—remain etched into the soul of Assam.
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