Celebrated Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg tragically passed away on September 19, 2025, following a scuba-diving accident in Singapore. He was 52. According to reports, Garg experienced breathing difficulties underwater during the dive. Singapore police quickly rescued him, administered CPR at the scene, and rushed him to Singapore General Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite doctors’ best efforts, he was declared dead around 2:30 PM IST. Singapore authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are likely to conduct an autopsy before repatriating his body to Assam.
Garg had travelled to Singapore to participate in the 4th North East India Festival, scheduled for September 20 and 21. He was to perform as the event’s Cultural Brand Ambassador and had actively promoted the festival on social media just a day earlier, inviting fans to celebrate Northeast India’s culture, music, and crafts.
The news of his untimely death has shocked fans and colleagues alike. The festival organizers confirmed the tragedy with deep sadness, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described Garg as “one of Assam’s most beloved sons” whose music inspired generations. Prominent voices such as former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora and actor Adil Hussain also expressed grief, calling his death a monumental loss to Indian music and Assamese identity.
Zubeen Garg’s career spanned decades and thousands of songs across multiple languages, including Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Nepali. While he rose to nationwide fame with the haunting Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” from Gangster (2006), his contributions extended far beyond playback singing. He was also a composer, actor, director, and philanthropist, deeply involved in youth and social causes. In Assam and across the Northeast, he was more than just a singer—he was regarded as a unifying cultural voice who championed regional cinema and music.
Following the news, fans flooded social media with tributes, sharing his songs, concert footage, and emotional memories. The Indian High Commission in Singapore, in coordination with the Assam government, is handling arrangements to bring Garg’s mortal remains back to India, with reports suggesting they could arrive by Saturday evening, pending official procedures.
Known for his love of water, Garg frequently shared pictures of himself by the sea, often with his wife, reflecting his personal connection to nature and the ocean. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in Indian music and in the hearts of millions who saw him as the voice of Assam.
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