Popular Assamese Singer Zubeen Garg, 52, Dies in Scuba Diving Accident in Singapore

Assam’s much-loved singer Zubeen Garg passed away in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore on Friday at about 1:30 PM local time. He was pulled out of the water by Singapore police and rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the quick rescue and medical care, doctors could not revive him and declared him dead on arrival.

He was in Singapore for Northeast Festival

Garg had travelled to Singapore to take part in the Northeast Festival, an event managed by Guwahati-based company Trends MMS. He was set to perform on Friday evening, but his sudden death has left his fans and the entire Northeast region in deep shock. People from across Assam and beyond, including fellow artists, have expressed their sorrow on social media, paying heartfelt tributes to the man who was called the “heartthrob of Assam.”

Early life and background

Born on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen Garg was a man of many talents. He was the son of Mohini Mohon Borthakur and the late Ily Borthakur and was named after famous music conductor Zubin Mehta. He was more than a singer – he wrote songs, composed music, directed films, wrote scripts, acted, produced, and even published poetry. He was also widely respected for his charitable work.

Career and legacy

During his long career, Garg recorded over 38,000 songs in more than 40 languages and dialects, showing his remarkable range. His work reached Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi cinema. He became known for mixing folk and rock styles and for his lively stage shows. He mastered 12 musical instruments, including the dhol, guitar, tabla, mandolin, and keyboard. Until his last days, he was Assam’s highest-paid singer, a mentor to young talents, and a passionate supporter of many social causes.