Assam Icon Zubeen Garg Ya Ali Fame Dies in Scuba Diving Tragedy

Zubeen Garg, a legendary Assamese singer and cultural icon, passed away at the age of 52 following a scuba diving accident in Singapore. He was visiting the country to perform at the North East Festival, where he was scheduled to appear on Friday. According to reports, he was rescued from the sea in an unconscious state and taken to a hospital, where he was placed in intensive care. Despite doctors’ efforts, he could not be revived, leaving fans and the cultural world stunned.

A Storied Career: From Assam to Bollywood

• Zubeen Garg was not just a singer—he was a complete performer, composer, actor, film-maker, lyricist, and philanthropist.
• He made his musical debut in 1992 with the Assamese album Anamika.
• His first film soundtrack came in 1998 with Jouboni Amoni Kore.
• Gained national fame through “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006), composed by Pritam.
• Also sang hits like “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” (Krrish 3), and Assamese hits like “Bhobai Nasilu”, “Runjun”, and “Agoli Anubhabe”.
• His last release was the English version of “Maya”, a collaboration with Bhargav Ojapali.

With 2.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Zubeen remained one of India’s most-streamed independent artists.

Cultural Legacy & National Tributes

• Zubeen was a voice of Assam—and of the entire Northeast. His impact on India’s cultural scene went beyond music.

Tributes

• PM Narendra Modi: Remembered him for his “rich contribution to music” and wide appeal.
• Amit Shah: Called his voice “timeless” and “uniting.”
• JP Nadda: Praised his efforts in taking Assam’s culture to the national stage.
• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma: “Assam has lost one of its favourite sons… he left a void that will never be filled.”

Static Facts

• Zubeen Borthakur (stage name: Zubeen Garg)
• Date of Birth: 18 November 1972
• Date of Death: 19 September 2025
• Age at Death: 52 years
• Debut Album: Anamika (1992)
• Breakthrough Song: “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006)
• Total Songs Recorded Over 38,000