Zubeen Garg whose birth name was Zubeen Borthakur was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya, India. Zubeen was not just a singer, he was resounding voice of not just Assam but the whole of North eastern India and a gifted artist. He breathed his last on the 19th of September 2025, as he unfortunately passed away in Singapore where he had gone scuba-diving.
Zubeen Garg’s childhood
Zubeen had a happy childhood and since his birth he had been in the midst of art and artistic glory. Sri Mohini Mohon Borthakur (also known by the pen name Kapil Thakur), Zubeen Gar’s father was a lyricist and poet. His mother, Smt. Ily Borthakur was also a singer with a beautiful voice. Such was their love for music that they named him after Zubin Mehta who was an Indian conductor of Western classical music. He is music director emeritus of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) and conductor emeritus of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Zubeen Garg had music in himself since birth and this showed in his love for all forms of music. He trained in playing many musical instruments like tabla, harmonium, guitar, mandolin etc. It is a popular belief that Zubeen sang in more than a couple dozen languages and dialects. He sang songs of all genres and aced them all.
Story of his rise to stardom
Zubeen first came in the public eye in Assam which was the state where his art first grew, with his work in the local launguage, but his big breakthrough into the bigger mainstream art scene happened when he sang the super famous and song “Ya Ali” in the Bollywood film Gangster (2006). The song gained him instant stardom and he became a household name with everyone humming his song. Some of his other famous hit songs include hits like Dil Tu Hi Bataa, O Bondhu Re which also gave him tremendous amount of respect not only in Assam but across the country.
Zubeen Garg never limited his artistic skill to just singing, he had also ventured and aced the world of music composing, lyrics writing, acting, film and music productionHis involvement in Assamese film, music and even film making. He was multi-talented and a multi-faceted artist whose talent spoke beyond the boundaries of language, culture and geographic lines.
Zubeen Garg: the unappointed advocate of Assamese culture
Apart from his tremendous success in hindi film industry, Zubeen Garg was always grounded and stayed connected to his Assamese roots and never forgot that everyone owes something to their motherland. He not only sang but also composed couple hundred songs in his mother tongue assamese. His songs celebrated and spoke and taught everyone about the rich and beautiful culture and traditions of Assam. He also hyped the monumental landscape of Assam’s traditions, culture and festivals. Song tracks like Mayabini, Pakhi, and Nayanmoni are the perennially beautiful tracks to which his fans keep listening to on repeat.
Zubeen Garg was not just an art lover but was also very well aware of his duties to the society and country. He was very forthright and candid and vocal when it came to socio-economic and political issues. He was very fearless in his approach and worked day in and day out to uphold the identity of his mother tongue. He was always working towards for the upliftment of the society and his philanthropic nature never let him shy away from doing his bit for the same.
Awards and accolades
Zubeen Garg received umpteen number of awards which included the very prestigious Global Indian Music Award (GIMA), Filmfare Awards (East), and various state awards in Assam. His real win and treasure were not just these trophies and awards but the happiness and the inspiration his music brought to the young. He was a inspiration for many professionally and personally.
Untimely tragic death
At just 52, he lost his life in a sudden tragic scuba-diving accident in Singapore. He was in was in Singapore to participate in the Northeast Festival and was scheduled to perform today. All aid and help were offered medically to resuscitate him, but he could not be brought to life and left for heavenly abode.
Conclusion
Zubeen Garg, the talented singer full of relentless hard work, talent and philanthropy was no less than a hero. May his life and works live beyond just his lifetime and become eternal. May his soul Rest in Peace.