HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 19: Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most iconic voices and heartthrob of youths of Assam passed away in Singapore on Friday.
Garg, 52, is survived by his wife.
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He had travelled to Singapore to attend the three-day North East Festival, which was due to begin on Friday.
In the afternoon, reports suggested that Garg had died in a scuba diving accident.
However, later in the evening his wife Garima Garg issued a statement clarifying that he suffered a seizure whilst swimming, which led to his sudden death.
Despite being rushed to Singapore General Hospital and admitted to intensive care, doctors were unable to save him.
Meanwhile, Chief Organiser of the North East India Festival, Shyamkanu Mahanta said that Zubeen Garg had gone on a yacht trip with a few members of the local Assamese community when an accident occurred, which claimed his life in Singapore.
“We later learned that a few members of the local Assamese community had taken him on a yacht visit, of which we had no prior knowledge,’’ Mahanta said.
A household name in Assam, Garg’s career spanned more than three decades and crossed multiple languages. His Assamese songs such as Anamika, Monor Nijanot, Maya, Asha and Majulir Ejoni Suwali became generational favourites, while his Bengali tracks and Hindi hits reached audiences far beyond the North East.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he received the news from Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita.
“It is very painful news and an immense loss to the state and the nation,” Sarma said on the sidelines of a programme.
Sarma said that beyond Garg’s music, his connection with people and passion for helping them will always be remembered.
“I will greatly cherish all my interactions with him. That magical voice has forever gone silent. Tragic beyond words!” he added.
The chief minister, who was campaigning in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) for the September 22 Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls, said that the BJP will cancel all election-related events scheduled for the day.
“I am returning to Guwahati and will discuss with the party to decide on the next course of action,” he said.
He said he has spoken to Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule to bring singer Zubeen Garg’s body to the state.
The Indian high commission is in touch with Singaporean authorities, which will decide whether an autopsy is required, the CM told reporters on the sidelines of a programme here.
‘‘If an autopsy needs to be done, it is likely that Zubeen’s mortal remains will reach Assam on Saturday evening,” he said.
‘‘We are coordinating to ensure the return of Zubeen’s mortal remains to Assam at the earliest. As soon as the process is firmed up, I will share an update,” he also posted on ‘X’.
News of his death has left fans and colleagues stunned.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described him as “the heartbeat of a generation”, while Kiren Rijiju remembered him as “a magical voice and a versatile personality”. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi called him “the pride of every Assamese”, saying his death was “an irreparable loss for the music world and a personal loss for every Assamese”.
Fans and artists alike shared their grief. Actor Adil Hussain said, “His contribution to Assamese music and culture was extraordinary. He will live amongst us through his songs… until we meet on the other side.” North East United FC, the region’s football club, issued a statement mourning “the loss of Assam’s heartthrob”.
For millions of listeners, Zubeen Garg was far more than a singer: he was a voice that carried the identity, emotions and spirit of Assam across India and beyond.
Assam Congress president and the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, mourned Garg’s death and hailed him as a “pride of every Assamese”.
Describing Zubeen Garg as her “brother”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday mourned the death of the popular singer.
