Guwahati/Singapore: In a tragic blow to the music fraternity, renowned singer and composer Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on Friday, 19th Sept. 2025. The 52-year-old icon, celebrated for his influential contributions to Assamese, Bengali, and Bollywood music, had travelled to the island nation to perform at the North East Festival.

Garg—who achieved nationwide acclaim with his Bollywood hit Ya Ali—was scheduled to perform at the festival on Saturday. However, he fell critically ill during a sea outing earlier in the day.

According to the festival organisers, Garg developed severe breathing complications while scuba diving.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Zubeen Garg’s passing. While scuba diving, he experienced breathing difficulties and was immediately given CPR before being rushed to Singapore General Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was declared dead in the ICU around 2.30 pm IST, ” the organisers said in an official statement.

Sources added that he was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital and placed in intensive care, but doctors were unable to revive him.

The sudden demise of the multi-talented artist—admired as a singer, songwriter, composer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist—has sent shockwaves across Assam, the Northeast, and the wider Indian music community. Fans, colleagues, and political leaders have flooded social media with tributes, mourning the loss of an artist whose voice and creativity defined an entire era of contemporary Assamese music.

Garg’s passing leaves a profound void in India’s cultural landscape, bringing an abrupt end to a remarkable musical journey that spanned over three decades.

• Dipanjana Dutta