India is mourning the loss of Zubeen Garg, the beloved singer and multi-instrumentalist who became a household name across the nation with his iconic Bollywood hit, “Ya Ali.” He passed away on Friday in Singapore at the age of 52.
His passing was confirmed by the organizers of the North East India Festival in Singapore, where Garg was slated to perform. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam State in India’s northeast, also released a statement confirming his death.
According to Chief Minister Sarma, the tragic cause of death was drowning.
Garg was renowned for his powerful and emotive voice, effortlessly transitioning between romantic ballads and heartfelt mournful tunes. A true polymath, he sang in dozens of languages and dialects, mastered multiple instruments, starred in films, composed memorable scores, and consistently packed concert venues.
His breakthrough hit, “Ya Ali,” a captivating song about love and longing, became a sensation after its feature on the soundtrack of the 2006 Bollywood film “Gangster.”
Garg served as the playback singer for “Ya Ali” – the unseen voice behind the onscreen performance. His exceptional talent earned him the award for Best Playback Singer at the 2006 Global Indian Film Awards.
Born in 1972 in Meghalaya, a northeastern state bordering Assam, Garg pursued his education in Assam. However, he ultimately left his science degree unfinished to dedicate himself entirely to his passion for music, as reported by various Indian news outlets.
His musical journey began in 1992, at the age of 19, with the release of his debut album, “Anamika.”
Over nearly three decades, Garg lent his voice to thousands of songs across numerous Indian languages. Yet, the overwhelming success of “Ya Ali” came as a delightful surprise even to him.
In a 2012 interview on Indian television, he admitted, “I didn’t know it would become so big. It was good for me, too.”
Garg’s music beautifully reflected the diverse cultural tapestry of India, a region often marked by ethnic tensions. Despite his celebrity status, he remained widely regarded as a grounded and relatable personality.
Defying the usual path for Bollywood stars, he preferred to reside predominantly in Assam, a serene northeastern state nestled in the Himalayan foothills, rather than in the bustling coastal metropolis of Mumbai, the heart of India’s film industry.
Garg was also a vocal political figure. He joined other Assamese singers in challenging a controversial 2019 citizenship law, a policy backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government that sparked widespread, deadly protests. Critics viewed this legislation as a clear attempt to transform India into a Hindu-centric nation, marginalizing its 200 million Muslim minority.
His outspoken nature extended to religious orthodoxy. During a 2024 concert, he controversially questioned the divinity of a revered Hindu god.
“Krishna is not a god,” he asserted. “He was a man.”
Consequently, local news media reported that he was requested to refrain from performing in Majuli, a significant spiritual center for a Hindu sect in Assam.
Details regarding his surviving family members were not immediately released.
In 2024, in a testament to his profound musical contributions, Garg received an honorary degree from the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, according to a news release.
Upon the repatriation of his body to Assam, millions of grieving fans lined the streets, following his procession from the airport to a stadium in Guwahati, Assam’s largest city. The entire state resonated with prayers and heartfelt tributes, as loudspeakers in every alleyway played his beloved songs, uniting communities in mourning.