Zubeen Garg was a singing legend in Assam, a state in northeastern India.
Such was his star power that he is being mourned as a “voice of a generation” following his tragic death in a scuba diving accident on September 19. Garg, known as Zubeen Da, was “the man who bound the state’s population together as his fandom,” according to Indian Express.
Garg’s wife Garima Shaikia Garg was photographed breaking into tears after news of his death arrived.
The Chief Minister of Assam Called Zubeen Garg a ‘Favorite Son’
“Riniki and I, visited the residence of our beloved Zubeen in Guwahati to stand in solidarity with his family in this hour of grief,” wrote Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on X.
অনাকাংক্ষিত খবৰটোৰ পিছতে কান্দোনত ভাগি পৰিছে গৰিমা শইকীয়া গাৰ্গ। কোনোপধ্যেই মানি ল’ব পৰা নাই এই খবৰ।#asomlive24 #asomlive24digital pic.twitter.com/0puzoeBdQO
— Asom Live 24 (@AsomLive24) September 19, 2025
“Thousands of his admirers are waiting on the streets to have his last glimpse – we are constantly in touch to bring him back to Assam soon.”
Zubeen Garg Died in Singapore
Garg died in a “a freak accident in Singapore while scuba diving,” according to NDTV.
According to Indian Express, Garg died on Friday, September 19, 2025, in Singapore, where he had gone as a Cultural Brand Ambassador for the North East India Festival.
He was taken to the hospital after struggling while swimming on a yacht trip, the publication reported. “We have heard that he had gone for scuba diving and began experiencing breathing complications. The people from the Assam Association Singapore, who were with him, rushed him to a hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. He passed away there,” an official, unnamed, with the festival told Indian Express, which reported that the cause of death is not definitely clear.
Riniki and I, visited the residence of our beloved Zubeen in Guwahati to stand in solidarity with his family in this hour of grief.
Thousands of his admirers are waiting on the streets to have his last glimpse – we are constantly in touch to bring him back to Assam soon. pic.twitter.com/29e3mwhDKt
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 19, 2025
In a lengthier post, the chief minister wrote, “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons. I am in a loss of words to describe what Zubeen meant for Assam. He has gone too early, this was not an age to go.”
“Zubeen’s voice had an unmatched ability to energise people and his music spoke directly to our minds and souls. He has left a void that will never be filled,” he added. “Our future generations will remember him as a stalwart of Assam’s culture, and his works will inspire many more talented artists in the days and years to come.”
(Photo by David Talukdar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Be continued: “Beyond his 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! I grieve with my fellow citizens on the passing away of Zubeen. Rest well, Zubeen! You will always be Assam’s favourite rockstar.”
