Celebrated singer from North East India, Zubeen Garg, has passed away at the age of 52. As per a PTI report, the singer succumbed to injuries sustained during scuba diving in Singapore, where he was supposed to perform at 4th North East India Festival in Sunctec tomorrow. Following the accident, the singer was admitted to the ICU, where he later died.

Organisers of the North East India Festival confirmed to PTI that the singer has died.

A day before, Garg had shared his excitement about the participation in Assam’s cultural festival where he was supported to perform tomorrow evening, on September 20.

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Zubeen Garg’s last Instagram post

“Friends in Singpore, I will like to invite you to 4th North East India Festival in Sunctec, Singapore during 20th and 21st September. Come and explore the exotic part of India, we are carrying quality agri, craft products, tea experience, dance forms, fashion shows and evening musical show presenting Rock bands, rappers from India’s North East. I will be there throughout the Festival as Cultural Brand Ambassador and will perform on 20th evening with my popular Hindi, Bengali and Assamese Songs. I would like to invite you all, it will be Saturday and Sunday and entry is free. All come and support us. Cheers!” he wrote on his Instagram handle.

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Assam CM pays tribute

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma paid a heartfelt tribute to Assam’s favourite son and said that the coming generations will remember him as a stalwart of Assam.

“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,” he wrote on X.

“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. 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,” he added.

Assam CM said he would ‘greatly cherish his interactions with the late singer.

“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,” he further wrote.

Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal said that the singer was the pride of Assam and the nation.

“Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. Assam has lost not just a voice, but a heartbeat. Zubeen da was more than a singer, he was the pride of Assam and the nation, whose songs carried our culture, our emotions, and our spirit to every corner of the world,” he wrote.

“In his music, generations found joy, solace, and identity. His passing leaves behind a void that can never be filled. Assam has lost its dearest son, and India has lost one of its finest cultural icons. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and countless fans. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire forever. Om Shanti,” his added.

Started singing from the age of 3

A talented singer, Zubeen was born in Meghalaya and started singing from the age of 3. His mother taught him the basics of his art. He later learnt tabla from Pandit Robin Banerjee for 11 years.

Best known for the soulful rendition of Bollywood hit Ya Ali from Gangster, Zubeen also lent his voice to popular numbers like “Dil Tu Hi Bataa”, “Subah Subah”, “Kya Raaz Hai”, and “Yeh Kaisi Jagah”.