India mourns the loss of Zubeen Garg, the celebrated singer and multi-instrumentalist, who passed away in Singapore at the age of 52. He was widely recognized for making the Bollywood anthem “Ya Ali” a household sensation.
The news of his passing was confirmed by the North East India Festival in Singapore, an event where he was slated to perform. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, India, also publicly acknowledged the tragic event during a press conference.
Chief Minister Sarma disclosed to reporters that drowning was the cause of death. As of now, the Singaporean government has not yet issued a statement regarding Mr. Garg’s demise.
Garg’s musical genius shone through his unique ability to fuse Assam’s rich folk traditions with contemporary pop and rock. His powerful voice traversed genres, delivering both soulful romantic ballads and poignant, mournful tunes with equal mastery. A true polymath, he sang in countless languages and dialects, mastered multiple instruments, graced films as an actor, composed captivating scores, and consistently packed concert halls.
A captivating image of Zubeen Garg shows him performing live on stage in Guwahati, India, back in 2017, passionately playing an electric guitar near a microphone.
It was his iconic song, “Ya Ali,” a poignant melody of love and longing, that propelled him to national fame, prominently featured in the 2006 Bollywood film “Gangster.” As a playback singer for “Ya Ali” – the unseen voice behind the on-screen actors – Garg’s talent earned him the prestigious award for best playback singer at the 2006 Global Indian Film Awards.
Born in Meghalaya, a state nestled in India’s northeast near Assam, in 1972, Garg embarked on his educational journey in Assam. However, his profound passion for music led him to leave his science degree unfinished, dedicating himself entirely to his artistic calling. His debut album, “Anamika,” released in 1992 when he was just 19, marked the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Over nearly three decades, Garg lent his voice to thousands of songs across numerous Indian languages. Despite his immense talent, even he was taken aback by the overwhelming success of “Ya Ali.” “I didn’t know it would become so big,” he confessed during a 2012 Indian television interview, acknowledging the positive impact it had on his career.
To millions, his voice offered solace and comfort. His music transcended boundaries, celebrating the rich diversity of a region often marked by ethnic tensions, and he remained a humble, relatable figure despite his immense celebrity. Unlike many stars drawn to Bollywood’s hub in Mumbai, Garg chose to reside primarily in Assam, a serene state nestled in the Himalayan foothills of India’s far northeast.
Beyond his music, Garg was an outspoken figure, unafraid to engage with politics. He joined fellow Assamese singers in challenging a controversial 2019 citizenship law. This law, advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, sparked widespread, sometimes deadly, protests, with critics arguing it aimed to transform India into a Hindu-majority nation, thereby marginalizing its vast Muslim minority.
During a 2020 protest in Gauhati against this contentious citizenship law, Mr. Garg was pictured among the crowd, wearing orange sunglasses and a hat, demonstrating his commitment to social issues.
His defiance extended to religious orthodoxy. At a concert in 2024, he famously challenged the divinity of a revered Hindu god. “Krishna is not a God,” he declared. “He was a man.” This controversial statement led to him being barred from performing in Majuli, a significant spiritual center for a Hindu sect in Assam, as reported by local media.
Details regarding his surviving family members were not immediately available. His profound impact on music was recognized in 2024 with an honorary degree from the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya.
Upon the return of his body to Assam, millions lined the route from the airport to Guwahati’s largest stadium in a massive display of grief. Across the state, prayers and heartfelt tributes resonated, and his beloved songs filled narrow alleys from loudspeakers, as communities united in mourning.