Showing posts with label Zubeen Garg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zubeen Garg. Show all posts
Prashant Tamang, 43, dies of cardiac arrest
10:24 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (January 12, 2026)
Darjeeling: Indian Idol 2007 edition winner Prashant Tamang (43), a singer from Darjeeling, died of cardiac arrest at his Delhi home on Sunday morning. Prashant felt unwell around 6 am on Sunday.
His family took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. He had been living in Delhi with his wife and three-year-old daughter.
“He had gone to Dubai for a show and returned on Dec 27. He travelled to Arunachal Pradesh on January 7 for another show and was back in Delhi the next day. We spoke that day; it was our last conversation,” said his sister Anupama Gurung
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Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 12, 2026)
Singer-actor Prashant Tamang, who gained fame as the winner of Indian Idol 3, died on Sunday at his Delhi residence. He was 43 and reportedly died after suffering a stroke.
A native of Darjeeling, Tamang was born on January 4, 1983. He lost his father early in life and later joined the Kolkata Police as a constable. During his service, he nurtured his passion for music through the police orchestra. Tamang later appeared in Paatal Lok Season 2 as Daniel Lecho.
Musician Anu Malik, who was a judge on Indian Idol 3, tells us, “I was in a recording and this news has spaced me out completely. I had seen his struggle, seen him grow, take my criticism and praise. He would take my feedback, make changes in the mukhda, antra and ask me ‘How is it sounding?’ I had never seen such madness in anybody.”
Malik adds, “I would tell him to take it easy, but that guy was a workaholic and superb human being. We just lost (Assamese singer) Zubeen Garg, how do I process this news now? He had a full life ahead in terms of music and shows. I would tell him he should do more shows. My heart goes out to the family and I hope God gives them tremendous strength to bear the loss.”
Fans queue up from 3 am as Zubeen Garg's last film opens to packed houses with 4:25 am show
2:53 PM
Mukut Das (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 1, 2025)
Guwahati: Assamese cinema witnessed an unprecedented spectacle Friday as queues began forming outside theatres across the state at 3 am for the release of cultural icon Zubeen Garg's last film, Roi Roi Binale. By 4:25 am, halls were packed for the pre-dawn shows of what has become a musical catharsis for millions seeking closure since the artiste's death just over a month ago.
Many arrived carrying flowers to shower on Zubeen the moment he appeared on screen as a blind singer in what he had proudly promoted as "Assam's first-ever musical". Emotions soared as his personal favourite and biggest hit, Mayabini, reverberated through theatres before the opening credits rolled. Some cried; others screamed his name.
Rajesh Bhuyan, who co-directed the film with Zubeen, said Roi Roi Binale had turned into something far greater than cinema. "This is the first time in Assam's history that a film is being screened before sunrise. And why not? Zubeen's final act doesn't just entertain - it heals," he said.
The title track, already topping charts, is a recreation of the song from Zubeen's 1998 album Sobdo. "Through the film and its music, we wanted to evoke hope after pain," Bhuyan added.
Zubeen's wife Garima, sister Palme Borthakur and other family members watched the film in a Guwahati theatre in the evening, leaving a seat symbolically vacant between Garima and Palme.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he would watch the film later to avoid crowding theatres. "We'll request Jonaki Hall in Guwahati to organize a special screening," he said. The BJP-led cabinet has decided to hand over the state's GST share from Roi Roi Binale to the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation, set up by Zubeen for the welfare of the underprivileged. "There's no provision for tax exemption, so the GST collected will be transferred to his foundation," Sarma added.
With tickets for all shows over the next week sold out, Roi Roi Binale is on course to shatter Assamese box-office records. Most theatres are screening up to seven shows a day. Fans outside Assam await its release in select cities.
Zubeen died in Singapore on September 19, plunging Assam into collective mourning.
I want to know exactly what happened the day Zubeen died-Garima Saikia Garg
8:00 AM
Shantanu Nandan Sharma (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 26, 2025)
In the serene hills of Sonapur, just beyond Guwahati’s bustle, the place where Assam’s music icon Zubeen Garg was cremated is a site of pilgrimage, visited by thousands every day. On the night of October 21, when ET reaches the spot, there are about 4,000 people—some lighting lamps and incense sticks, others draping gamosas, the traditional red-and-white scarves, over photographs of their beloved Zubeenda.
A group of young fans climb a small hillock nearby and their voices ring in the dark sky—“Joi Zubeen da”, “Justice for Zubeen”. Night buses from Guwahati pause for a few minutes for passengers to step out—with bowed heads, they leave flowers, prayers and tears for the legend whose voice had once united them all.
It has been over a month since Garg’s untimely death on September 19 in Singapore, where he reportedly drowned while swimming without a life jacket. Authorities in Singapore and Assam continue their investigations to determine whether there was foul play.
The site in Sonapur is now called Zubeen Kshetra after his wife, costume designer Garima Saikia Garg urged his fans not to use the word samadhi (memorial). She said the effort would be to keep Zubeen alive forever. She has kept the sindoor on her forehead—a symbol of their bond that began in 2002 when she married the celebrated singer of Maya and Mayabini fame. In their modest apartment in Kahilipara, Guwahati, a new piece of digital art adorns the wall: there’s Zubeen with his guitar and Garima in her red bindi.
In an interview with Shantanu Nandan Sharma, she talks about the lingering questions she has about the day he died—“How could everyone neglect an artist like Zubeen Garg in such a manner?”—and her attempts to protect and preserve his legacy. Edited excerpts:
Tell me about this image of you and Zubeen Garg on the wall.
It is a digital artwork prepared by Ashwini Barkataki, an artist from Jorhat. It reflects my decision to retain the sindoor and the bindi after Zubeen’s death. The guitar represents Zubeen’s music and his strong presence. I love this photo as it captures the emotions I’m going through now. That I need to be strong is also very much visible on my face here.
Do you suspect any foul play in Zubeen’s death?
I want to know what exactly happened on that day. Zubeen was taken out for a yacht party on September 19, but I—and our entire family—want to know every minute detail from the previous night. A video circulating on social media shows how he was enjoying the previous night, singing “Tears In Heaven” (by Eric Clapton) with a local artist. But if you see his videos the next day (on the yacht), he is wearing the same dress. I want to know whether he got a chance to sleep that night at all. Zubeen was not a person who woke up early in the morning. He was not a day person. He always slept during the day and got up at 3 or 4 in the evening. Nothing in the world excited him during the day. He used to go to bed in the morning, and we ensured he never got disturbed during the day. But that day (September 19), he was taken to the yacht so early.
The previous night, he replied to a WhatsApp message from one of our team members in Guwahati at 11:25 pm. That means he was awake at 2 at night Singapore time. I want to know whether he slept that night. Were there people sitting around him the whole night? Was he taken out for the party very early in the morning? We have learnt that he did not get a chance to have breakfast. Also, from his face, as seen in the video, you can make out that he did not sleep the previous night. He was looking very tired. He seemed so exhausted.
How did you come to know about the tragedy?
There were two missed calls from his manager Siddharth (Sharma, now in judicial custody). I called him back. It was about 1:15 pm (India time). He picked up the phone, and I heard him crying, ‘Dada, dada.’ I asked what happened to dada (Zubeen). I immediately suspected there could have been a seizure attack, so I first asked him: ‘Did he take the medicine in the morning?’ He did not reply. I asked him: ‘Are you taking him to the hospital, or have you called a doctor to the hotel?’ I had no idea that Zubeen was not in the hotel but inside a yacht.
What happened then?
I heard him say CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an emergency procedure that is given when heart stops). I could not believe it. Zubeen had no cardiac issues. I said, ‘Tell me what happened to Zubeen?’ Siddharth passed the phone to someone who identified himself as Abhimanyu Talukdar (president of the Assam Association of Singapore) who said Zubeen was in the water and possibly had a seizure attack. I got scared. I asked: ‘Why then is CPR being given?’ He was fumbling. I asked: ‘Is Zubeen breathing properly? When did the convulsion stop?’ After all, such convulsions last 15–20 seconds, sometimes less.
I also asked him if there was a doctor there or not; who was giving him the CPR? I was told some coastguards were giving him CPR. I was shocked. Why coastguards? I was screaming. He assured me that they were all trained. Only then did I come to know that Zubeen was in a yacht and there was no doctor nearby. I was told it would take some 10 minutes or so to reach the coast where there was an ambulance.
What did you do next?
I immediately informed Bhanti (Zubeen’s younger sister and academic Palme Borthakur) and my brother. I started praying. I also kept calling, asking how long it would take them to reach the hospital. Every time the answer was: 5–10 minutes. It was at that moment that I decided I would fly to Singapore as soon as possible. I had to be with him at the hospital during the treatment.
And then?
I realized I needed a visa to go to Singapore. So, I called up Pabitra Margherita (minister of state for external affairs, who was once Zubeen’s roommate and anchored his music shows in the 1990s). He told me to send a photo of my passport, and assured me that there wouldn’t be a problem getting a visa. I was readying to go. By then, I kept calling to ask whether Zubeen was being treated by doctors or not. After some 45 minutes, I came to know they had reached the hospital. Siddharth called me to get the prescription of medicines Zubeen was taking as the doctor was asking for it.
Which medicines did Zubeen take regularly?
Zubeen took two medicines regularly—Starpress tablets for blood pressure and Levipil for seizures. These two were a must. He also took Vitamin E tablets. Much later (after his mortal remains reached Guwahati), when I was asked to identify his bags, I spotted these three medicines in the bag he was carrying (to the yacht). As he was not having breakfast, maybe he thought he would have some food during the day and then take the medicines.
Did you make any video call to see Zubeen’s condition?
I made video calls, but I did not see his face. Once in the hospital, Sanjive Narain (a media owner who was in Singapore to participate in the Northeast India festival) spoke with me. I requested him, please show me Zubeen. I also told him, if he’s in the ICU, never take the ventilator off. Zubeen will fight back. Singapore has some of the best doctors. Let them try their best. As I was speaking with him over the phone and praying to god for Zubeen’s recovery, there was already a large gathering outside our home. That meant the news (of his death) was already out. No one told me directly that Zubeen was no more. I understand that.
Do you feel there is too much politics around him now, against the backdrop of his immense popularity?
I won’t talk politics, but everything (leading to his death) was not as easy and straight as I initially thought. If you see what happened from the previous night, it was pure negligence. When Bhanti (sister-in-law) and I watched the videos after two-three days, we were wondering how everyone could neglect an artist like Zubeen Garg in such a manner. How could such an incident happen when there were some 14–15 people around him? How was he allowed to swim without a life jacket?
When the shooting (of his upcoming film) Roi Roi Binale was going on in Sri Lanka, he was swimming in the sea, but we persuaded him to return. This time too, Siddharth and Shekhar (Jyoti Goswami, a drummer and bandmate of Zubeen) were there. They were like our family members. Even Amrit Prabha (an Assamese singer, in jail now) was there. Siddharth and Shekhar, in particular, accompanied Zubeen all the time. They know everything. The video shows how exhausted he was after returning to the yacht. He should have been stopped from playing in the water again. At least they could have done that. He should have been taken away right then. It was such negligence.
Do you suspect any conspiracy behind it?
I can’t say if there was any conspiracy — the investigations are on. While there are many videos, the last part is somehow missing.
Have you seen the last video (of unconscious Zubeen being carried to the yacht)?
I have not seen that video either. We want to know the exact sequence till the last moment. Until I know every minute detail, I won’t be able to live peacefully. It’s such deep pain... I can’t even explain it.
What are your next steps in carrying forward Zubeen’s legacy?
We must carry forward his ideology and legacy. First, we have to protect the intellectual property rights of his creations. He sang around 40,000 songs, many of which he composed. We need to protect and archive them. We want Zubeen’s memorial to be known as Zubeen’s Kshetra to keep him alive in our hearts. We must never feel that he’s no more. He must always live with us.
Is there any indication how soon the structure will be built?
It will take time. We don’t want to hurry this. We have some ideas which we have put up in the first meeting of the committee [the Assam government formed an 11-member committee to oversee the planning and building of a memorial at Sonapur].
You just mentioned protecting the intellectual property rights to Zubeen’s creations. Aren’t these with Zubeen?
Not all copyrights are with us. Things have yet to be streamlined. Also, much of the work Zubeen did needs to be documented and preserved for future generations. It will be a gradual process. I won’t be able to work at Zubeen’s pace, but I’m sure his admirers across the state will help me in this endeavour.
Will Zubeen’s last film, Roi Roi Binale, where he reportedly plays the role of a blind person, be out on October 31 as scheduled?
It was his dream film, and it will be released as scheduled. On September 21, he was to return from Singapore and finalize some post-production work. That did not happen. We completed some patchworks recently. He told us he was not very happy with two-three scenes.
There have been a lot of news reports claiming that you don’t know much about Zubeen’s finances. Is that right?
I have never been involved in money matters. Zubeen himself believed that husband and wife must not be involved together in financial matters. Even in my own work (as costume designer and film producer), he gave me complete freedom. He did help me but never interfered in my professional work. He was okay even if I was away for a month for work. I mostly accompanied him to his shows, but I never got involved in his fees or monetary deals. In fact, he himself did not show much interest in such matters.
Several reports suggest he was careless in monetary matters, that he did not even know how much money he earned or spent.
I won’t say he was careless, but he did not want to get involved in such matters. He believed that spending time on balance sheets would hamper his creativity. Zubeen lived in a different world. New ideas used to hit his brain all the time. There were times when he would suddenly rise from sleep and start composing a song or create new music. If he had one or two sentences of a new song or new music, we sometimes recorded those instantly. There was no point telling such a creative man that he should handle his finances better.
Twist in Zubeen Garg death case: Manager delayed medical help, says band member; recalls how events unfolded in Singapore
10:35 AM
Prabin Kalita (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 5, 2025)
Guwahati: The probe into Zubeen Garg’s death has taken a dramatic turn, with fresh allegations of poisoning now at the centre of an intensifying criminal inquiry.
In the past 12 hours, the case has escalated sharply with three major developments — now public SIT’s arrest memo for manager Siddharth Sharma citing a co-accused’s claim that Zubeen was poisoned, the one-man judicial commission led by Gauhati HC Justice Soumitra Saikia launching its independent probe, and Zubeen’s wife, Garima, returning the autopsy report to investigators, stating it was not her personal document and should be handled at their discretion.
The SIT’s arrest memo for Zubeen’s manager, Siddharth, revealed explosive grounds for arrest — citing allegations from a band member and co-accused that Zubeen was poisoned in Singapore, where he died on Sept 19.
The SIT claimed that co-accused and key witness, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, has made explosive allegations against Siddharth and Shyamkanu, the organiser of the event where Zubeen had gone to participate.
The arrest memo cites that Shekhar, who was Zubeen’s band member, has alleged before it that “Shri Sharma and Shri Shyamkanu Mahanta had poisoned the victim and deliberately chosen a foreign venue to conceal their conspiracy. Shri Sharma also instructed him not to share the yacht videos with anyone.”
Saying that Shekhar has made the poisoning claim before the SIT, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The viscera report from the National Forensic Laboratory is expected by Oct 10, and only then we will know the truth.”
According to Shekhar’s statement, recorded by the CID under Sec 175 of BNSS, Siddharth forcibly took control of the yacht from its sailor during the Singapore event, causing it to wobble dangerously in mid-sea, thereby endangering all passengers onboard. He alleged that Siddharth instructed Tanmoy Phukan, an NRI and member of the Assam Association Singapore, not to arrange drinks, insisting that he alone would provide them.
During the critical moments when Zubeen was gasping for breath in the sea, Shekhar alleged that Siddharth was heard shouting “jabo de, jabo de” (let him go, let him go). Shekhar said Zubeen was an expert swimmer, who had personally trained both him and Siddharth, and therefore could not have drowned under normal circumstances.
Shekhar alleged that when Zubeen began frothing at the mouth and nose, Siddharth had dismissed it as acid reflux, assuring others that there was nothing to worry. Instead of seeking medical help, Siddharth allegedly facilitated early demise of the singer by delaying intervention.
Legal experts caution that a co-accused’s statement, unless corroborated, holds no evidentiary value during trial. Senior advocate Angshuman Bora of the Gauhati HC said, “If the statement is recorded as a confession, it must first implicate the person making it. Only then can it extend to implicating others. A confession is an admission of guilt — it must be inculpatory in nature. In this case, the statement appears to be exculpatory, as it does not implicate the accused himself. An exculpatory statement cannot be treated as a confession, because a confession must be inculpatory implicating himself in the commission of offense.”
Zubeen Garg recorded his last song with me before leaving for Singapore-Jeet Gannguli
10:01 AM
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 22, 2025)
Days after Zubeen Garg died in a scuba diving accident in Singapore, his friend and collaborator music composer Jeet Gannguli tells us, “With him gone, it feels like I have lost the soul of my music. It’s difficult for me to believe it.”
As he mourns the late singer, Jeet reveals to us, “We just spoke four days back, and he said, ‘Once I am back, you come over to my Guwahati studio aur music banate hain.’ Before leaving, he recorded his last song with me, Vidhi Re for the film She To Ajo Bojhena. I was just mixing the song yesterday when I got the news. Zubeen had told me, ‘You complete the song, promote sath mein karenge’.”
As he looks back on his decades-long friendship with Zubeen, the composer says, “He loved swimming, scuba diving since always; everything related to water sports was his favourite. This guy swam in the Brahmaputra and in the Ganges several times.”
Having worked together on over 40 film songs across languages such as Bengali, Assamese and Hindi, Jeet’s association with Zubeen goes way back. Ask him about it and the 48-year-old shares, “We have known each other for over 30 years. We worked together on over 45-50 film songs, and of course the endless jingles that brought us together, way back in 1995.”
And it was their ad work that led to their first-ever film collab, the 2003 Bengali film Premi. “Tab tak bahut gehri dosti ho gayi thi. Zubeen was not just a singer; he was an emotion, a man with a heart of gold. Not many know this, but he had an NGO in Assam where he worked relentlessly to make the lives of the less fortunate better. He has left a void that can never be filled.”
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As told Raima Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; September 23, 2025)
When it comes to Zubeen Garg, I don’t know where to begin or where to end. Thirty years of friendship – of course music is there – but beyond that, I have lost my dearest friend. In any situation, at any time, when it came to friendship, I had very few true friends, whether in the industry or personally. Among those few, one was Zubeen Garg.
If I speak of him as a person, he was such a generous soul, a friend who would genuinely feel someone else’s sorrow as his own. I honestly haven’t come across another person like that. He stood beside so many people and helped them, though he never spoke about it himself. Today, I am compelled to say it.
As an artiste, he was undoubtedly magnificent – a great musician and a great singer. But what truly defined Zubeen were his inner qualities: his willingness to stand by people, to serve others, and to work through his NGO. Whenever my wife Chandrani, who is involved in NGO work, or I reached out to him for anything, he never hesitated to help.
Now, about my professional journey with Zubeen Garg. You may remember my first Bengali film Premi. I told him, ‘Zubeen, it is my first Bengali film, you have to sing.’ He replied, ‘Of course Jeet, why wouldn’t I?’ He was not very fond of Bombay and preferred staying in Assam, surrounded by open spaces and hills. Still, he came and sang my very first song in Premi – O Bondhu Re. People loved it and the song became very popular. After that came one song after another, many of which are now part of Bengali cinema’s history: Piya Re Piya Re from Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, the title track and Subha Mangalam from Mon Mane Na, Aaina Mon Bhanga Aaina from Bolona Tumi Amar, and Chokher Jole Bhashiye Dilam from Poran Jaay Joliya Re. I could go on endlessly. There were so many songs and so many collaborations. He also sang Tomar Amar Prem Ami Aajo Bujhini from Jaaneman for me.
For most of us, Zubeen was not just a singer, he was an emotion. I must say that I have worked with many singers over the years, but I have rarely come across such a generous artiste. Why do I call him generous? Because most people tend to be calculative. They think about which producer, which banner, whose song, and whether it is worth singing before they agree. Zubeen never thought that way. Whoever offered him a song, whatever the film, he always sang wholeheartedly and from within. I believe that the kind of person you are inside is reflected in your voice, and in Zubeen’s case this was absolutely true. He was such a good human being and such an emotional singer. There will never be another like him, there will never be a second Zubeen Garg.
There are countless stories that capture who Zubeen truly was. He often chose the oddest hours to record. I remember once, for the song Aaina Mon Bhanga Aaina, he told me, ‘Jeet, I’ll come at 3.’ I waited in the studio all afternoon, but he never arrived. His phone kept ringing unanswered. Then at 10 at night, he finally called and asked, ‘So where should I come at 3?’ That was when I realized he had meant three in the morning. And sure enough, he showed up at 3am. There are so many whimsical stories as such, he’d sometimes come straight from home, still in the clothes he had been sleeping in, ready to sing. That was Zubeen – unpredictable, carefree, yet always giving his all to music.
And let me say this: people often speak of living like a king, and that is exactly what I learned from him. He was a king in his own right, living life entirely on his own terms. I have rarely seen anyone like him. For as long as he lived, he celebrated every single day. Among us friends, we always said, and will still say – Zubeen was a Raja.
Whatever the case, his last song for Bengali cinema was also sung for me, and will be released soon. We had spoken just four days back, and he asked me, “When will you mix the song?” Sadly, at the very moment of mixing, I received the news of his passing.
I will never forget him. And I will never again find a friend like him. All I want to say is: wherever you are, I know you will remain like a king. Stay well, my brother, my friend.
Zubeen Garg’s wife requests FIRs against singer’s manager be withdrawn: "They were like brothers"
9:58 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 22, 2025)
Ahead of his last rites on Sunday, late singer Zubeen Garg’s wife, producer Garima Saikia Garg, appealed for peace with a video message.
Speaking in Nepali, Garima said, “I am urging everyone — Zubeen is coming home. When he was alive, you showered him with love and blessings, and he loved all of you in return. I hope the last rites for his departure go peacefully.”
The video, shared by India Today Nepal, also saw Garima request fans to refrain from dragging Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma into any conspiracies. Following the singer's death in a scuba diving accident last week, several FIRs were lodged against both Siddharth and the organiser of the music festival Zubeen was scheduled to perform at in Singapore.
“We will all get to see him one last time. Along with Zubeen, Siddharth, who has been like a brother to him from the very beginning, will also be coming,” Garima shared, recalling how Siddharth aided Zubeen’s treatment after he suffered a massive seizure in 2020 and even during the Covid lockdown.
“I request everyone to set aside any negative thoughts about Siddharth. I need all my people around me tomorrow, and I will need his support. I also request that all FIRs filed against Siddharth be withdrawn,” she ended.
Assam gathers to bid Zubeen adieu
On Sunday afternoon, an ocean of fans flooded the streets of Guwahati as Zubeen returned home for the final time. Assam Chief Minister Himant Biswa Sarma shared pictures of thousands swarming the roads as they followed the singer's last journey. “United in according a farewell to their favourite son. He lived like a king, he is being sent to the heavens like one,” he wrote on X.
Zubeen Garg told me he had blackouts-Anu Malik
9:55 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 21, 2025)
Anu Malik was left shocked when he learnt the news of Zubeen Garg’s death on Friday. “I had first met him through a person from Assam. I made him sing in Fiza (2000), and we got along like a house on fire. He was very emotional about his sister, whom he had lost in an accident. His live concerts were deadly. Yeh khabar sunke mann khatta ho gaya hai,” the music composer shares. Anu and Zubeen went on to collaborate in films like Mission Istaanbul (2008), Main Prem ki Deewani Hoon (2003), and more.
“He used to tell me he had blackouts suddenly. I told him, ‘Go and get yourself checked’. Then we lost track over the years. Usne phone bhi nahin kiya, chala gaya. The call of the hills, of his own Assam was very strong,” the 64-year-old adds.
Anu further recalls how he kept calling the singer to Mumbai, but he never wanted to leave his place: “One day he told me. ‘Anu sir, I don’t want to come back to Mumbai. Aap bula loge toh aa jaaunga, aur gaana gaate hi waapis Assam nikal jaaunga because I am more interested in social work’. He used to go and help people affected in the floods, he was running a charity. I was very close to him; he would keep telling me about the work undertaken.”
Assam declares state mourning
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that he will receive Zubeen’s mortal remains in Delhi and they will be brought to Guwahati on a special aircraft on Sunday. Zubeen was in Singapore for the North East Festival and died in a scuba diving accident. Multiple FIRs have been filed against Shyam Kanu Mahanta, organiser of the festival, and his manager Siddhartha Sharma. The three-day festival was scheduled to begin on Friday, but was cancelled after Zubeen’s death. Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota announced state mourning from September 20 to September 22.
Singer Zubeen Garg suffers seizure while swimming in Singapore, dies
9:27 AM
Mukut Das (THE TIMES OF INDIA; September 20, 2025)
Guwahati: Renowned Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg tragically passed away on Friday in Singapore after suffering a seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, confirmed the incident.
Known for his powerful voice and advocacy for Assamese identity, Zubeen was in Singapore to perform at the 4th North East India Festival at Suntec, where he was scheduled to take the stage on Sept 20. He had arrived there on Sept 17 as a cultural brand ambassador for the event.
“Zubeen, along with seven or eight others, including drummer Shekhar and Sidhartha, went to the island on a yacht. They swam together and returned to the shore on the yacht. All of them were wearing life jackets. But Zubeen went to swim again and suffered a seizure attack. He suffered seizure attacks on several occasions earlier but escaped death. Other team members rescued him after seeing something unusual. He was kept in the ICU at Singapore General Hospital for about two hours,” said Garima, rejecting claims of his demise while scuba diving.
Zubeen breathed his last at 2:30 pm at the Singapore General Hospital. He was 52. People from all segments of society, including PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, Bollywood actor from Assam Adil Hussain and singer Jubin Nautiyal mourned Zubeen’s demise.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was campaigning in Chirang for Bodoland Territorial Council elections, rushed to Guwahati, to make arrangements to bring back Zubeen’s mortal remains.
The CM said, “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons, and I am at a loss for words to describe what Zubeen meant for the state. He has gone too early; this was not an age to go.”
He added, “His unique voice stirred the masses, creating music that touched the hearts and souls of people from all walks of life. His untimely death will leave a void that will never be filled,” he said.
The CM added that future generations will remember Zubeen as a stalwart of Assam’s culture, and his creations will inspire many more talented artists in the days to come. “Besides his music, his connection with people and passion for helping them will always be remembered. I will greatly cherish all my interactions with him,” he said.
The CM said the legendary artist always reached out to help those in need. He added that Zubeen, with his magical voice and unforgettable creations, would live forever in the hearts of the people. Sarma offered his heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media after visiting Zubeen’s residence at Kahilipara that efforts will be made to bring the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg by Saturday evening. His body will be brought to Delhi from Singapore and then to Guwahati. His body will be kept at Sarusajai sports complex for one day for public tribute.
Education minister Ranoj Pegu said on his X handle, “In view of the untimely death of Late Zubeen Garg, all Inspectors of Schools are instructed to postpone the half-yearly examination scheduled tomorrow until the cremation of the mortal remains of the legendary artist.”
Prayers were offered at the satras, naamghars (community prayer halls), temples, and mosques for the eternal peace of the departed soul across the state.
On the other hand, thousands of fans of Zubeen gathered outside his residence at Kahilipara as well as at Kharghuli in the city, lit candles and earthen lamps, and sang his soulful hits, including ‘Mayabini Ratir Bukut’. Zubeen, who sang over 35,000 songs in different Indian languages, wished that his song ‘Mayabini Ratir Bukut’ be played when he dies during a show at the B Borooah College in 2019.
Hundreds of people gathered at the historic Latasil playground to pay rich tribute to their beloved singer.
Zubeen Garg’s loss is big...an irreplaceable voice-Papon
9:23 AM
Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; September 21, 2025)
Papon had known Zubeen Garg for 30 years. Papon was in first year of college when he met the already established Zubeen in Assam. With the passing away of one of the biggest stars of Assam, Papon tries to put his feelings into words as he says, “I still don’t know what to say…it is one of the biggest losses for the Assamese community across the world.”
‘I CAN’T BELIEVE HE IS GONE’
It will take time to process it. The moment I heard it, I was in disbelief… you know, he had gone through this (seizures) two-three times earlier as well, so I thought he would come out of it this time as well. I made some calls, then I just switched off the phone because I knew my phone would flood with messages and calls and that would take me away from what I was feeling.
It’s just so hard to accept that someone you’ve known for 30 years, from just after your teenage days, someone you’ve spent so many evenings with, laughed with, hung out with… suddenly he’s gone. You sit and these memories start coming back. Delhi days, … staying in that tiny house with friends, and Zubeen would come and stay with me, and we’d hang out, do all the little things boys do. I’d push and pull him awake in the mornings and make breakfast for him. And now all of that is flashing in front of me.
‘While he was an established star, he also was a proud friend’
My parents were established figures in the music industry. I discovered myself in Delhi, away from the pressure of being the son of such celebrated parents.
I think I met him for the first time when I was in my first year of college. He was a young star, his career started very young. When I was at the studios with my parents for their recording, he would be there, and he would come to greet my parents. Slowly we became friends and then he would call me at the studio he would hang out mostly. It was like his adda.
This was probably 1997-1998, and he would ask me to sing low (notes) and boast to people about me and my singing style. While he was an established star, he also was a proud friend. We created songs together… Even now when we used to meet, we would mostly talk about light stuff, we wouldn’t discuss life or philosophy. We both would just laugh. We would meet seldom now but whenever we would meet, it was like the old times, same energy. Once when we met, he said we should do a TV interview together, that would be fun. Reh gaya hai bas woh .
‘I want to go for the last rites’
I might fly soon. I don’t want to meet too many people; I just want to be there... He was one in a million. He was born special; he lived life on his own terms. He lived like a king, and that is rare today.
‘We can’t imagine another voice like his in Assam’
Musically, he has left a big void. He has sung thousands and thousands of songs. His voice was everywhere in Assam. Voices like his are not there anymore. Bigger than life. Big picture, which carries the emotions of so many. These are voices which define a period in life. As of now we can’t imagine another voice like his in Assam.
Zubeen Garg airlifted to Guwahati after sustaining a minor head injury
8:06 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 22, 2022)
Singer-music composer Zubeen Garg was airlifted to Guwahati, Assam, on Wednesday evening, hours after he was admitted to a private hospital in Dibrugarh town after he sustained a minor head injury.
Multiple reports state that the doctors conducted a CT scan and Garg has received several stitches on his head. He is said to be safe right now, with his vital parameters being stable.
Earlier, on learning of Garg’s hospitalization, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had directed the deputy commissioner of Dibrugarh district to ensure that Garg, who was undergoing treatment at Sanjeevani Hospital in Dibrugarh, receives quality medical attention. Sarma had even directed to arrange for the artiste to be taken to Guwahati or outside the state for further treatment by air ambulance, if necessary.
The chief minister had also directed state health minister Keshab Mahanta to oversee the entire process of providing necessary medical services to the musician.
Garg reportedly fell down in the washroom of the resort he was staying in at Dibrugarh and was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The musician has composed songs for Assamese, Bengali as well as Hindi films. He made his singing debut in 1992 with Anamika. His discography includes songs such as Ya Ali from the 2006 Hindi film, Gangster, and Dil Tu Hi Bataa from Hrithik Roshan-starrer Krrish 3 (2013), among others.
I have to thank action director Tony Ching Siu Tung for making Hrithik fly believably-Rakesh Roshan
8:23 AM
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 23, 2020)
The Jadoo started with Koi… Mil Gaya in 2003. With a mentally challenged boy and his friendship with a blue-tinted alien who arrived six years before James Cameron’s Avatar, Rakesh Roshan rewrote box-office history. And encouraged by the success of this film, he took another leap of faith… Unveiled on June 23, 2006, Krrish took off from where Koi… Mil Gaya had ended, with Rohit and Nisha’s son inheriting his father’s super powers that enable him to scale mountains and fly through the air to streak past a stallion. Seven years later, when working on the post-production of Krrish 3, Rakesh ji confided that his actor-son Hrithik had actually run with the horse for his introduction scene. “It took us a day-and-a-half to shoot. I have to thank Tony (action director Tony Ching Siu Tung) for making Hrithik fly believably,” he smiled. For his son, who had grown up emulating superheroes, the film was a dream come true.
However, the bigger challenge was the scene in Singapore, where Hrithik leaps with the fountain spray, 20 floors up. “That shot called for perfect timing. Hrithik sitting on the fountain head had to jump as soon as the jet sprouted. But either the water was slow or Hrithik missed his cue. It took us all day to get that shot,” Rakesh ji recounted, revealing that they’d discarded 50-60 masks before settling for the one Krrish picks up when a fire breaks out in the circus to hide his identity. Then, with his coat flaring like a cape, he walks into the flames to pull off daring rescues.While daredevil action sequences and mind-boggling visual effects are a part of every superhero film, this one being mainstream Bollywood, it was left to Rakesh ji’s brother and Hrithik’s uncle Rajesh Roshan to weave songs into the narrative. The composer admits it wasn’t easy, but because the story had a strong emotional core and his brother has always inspired him while giving him a free hand, he could come up with the romantic “Aao Sunaun Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani” with Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Niigam. The duo also collaborated on another starry-eyed Hrithik-Priyanka Chopra duet, “Koi Tumsa Nahin”, while Shreya frolicked musically with Udit Narayan to “Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.”
The romance even crossed borders, with Rajesh ji roping in Pakistani singer Rafaqat Ali Khan—son of Nazakat Ali Khan, the nephew of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and the cousin of Shafaqat Ali Khan—and Alka Yagnik for “Main Hoon Woh Asmaan.” On the surface a happy song, it had deeper emotions simmering beneath, evident in lines like “Paas mere tu ho na agar toh kitna tadapta hai mera dil, main hoon teri nazar, mera intezaar tu, ho kar bhi hum judaa hote judaa nahi”. “The pain of loss makes a song unforgettable,” Rajesh ji asserts.
Kunal Ganjawala’s “Dil Na Diya”, which plays out in the Big Top before the fire breaks out, amidst music, dance and bobbing hearts, also has some profound lines by Javed Akhtar: “Tune chand pe bhi jamaye kadam, dariya mein bhi ghar hai banaya, tere jadoo ne ek rote huye insaan ko hai hasna sikhaya”. The melody continued in Krrish 3 seven years later, pitting the superhero against super villain Kaal, whose henchman, a shape-shifting female mutant, Kaya, loses her heart to Krrish and tries to seduce him with the dreamy, “Dil Tu Hi Bataa”.
“We opted for Alisha Chinai and the little-known Assamese singer, Zubeen Garg, over bigger names and worked on the song continuously for two months. At one point, we got stuck with the lyrics. One day, while Rakesh ji, Sameer (lyricist) and I were brainstorming, Duggu (Hrithik) walked in and came up with the words, ‘The heart always beats, but why is it that I didn’t hear these beats till now.’ He spoke in English, but Sameer ji picked them up and presented us with 'Dil Tu Hi Bata, Kahan Tha Chhupa, Kyun Aaj Suni, Teri Dhadkan Pehli Baar'. The rest is musical history,” Rajesh ji narrates, admitting that he was waiting to see what his brother would do with the song. “When I saw how beautifully he’d picturised it, I had tears in my eyes.”
Seven years have passed since Krrish 3. Rakesh ji has locked the script of Krrish 4. Once the Coronavirus pandemic is behind us, superhero Hrithik will fly again. And Rajesh ji will find more heart-to-heart connections.
Amid lockdown, Ya Ali singer Zubeen Garg reaches Assam from Mumbai in a bus
8:24 AM
Sanskrita Bharadwaj (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 18, 2020)
Singer-composer Zubeen Garg, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai before the Coronavirus lockdown, has finally reached his hometown, Guwahati. How? By travelling on a bus from Maharashtra to Assam. Garg had fallen unconscious during an event in Assam.
He was accompanied by his wife Garima Saikia Garg, and two other friends.
Though he was discharged after recovery from the Mumbai hospital he was admitted to, he got stuck in the city because of the lockdown. “I have a flat in Mumbai, but there were two cases in the building, and it was sealed. So, we had to rent a room and a kitchen in a hotel. There were four of us. We were cooking our own food. But I wanted to go back to Assam,” Garg says, adding, “We contacted the Assam Bhawan in Mumbai. The government was arranging commute for 132 other people, including 62 cancer patients and their family members, who were stranded in Mumbai to reach Assam. They also reached the state in sleeper buses. All of them were in six different buses. And four of us were in another sleeper bus. We left on May 8 and reached on May 12. Assam Police coordinated with authorities in all the other five states that we had to cross through.”
Narrating his experience, Garg said, “There were lots of people on the road, trying to get back home. It was heartbreaking to see so many people trying to reach their destinations. We had to slow down because of the movement of these people.”
Upon reaching, Garg and co, were quarantined at a hotel in Guwahati for about three days. They will be in home quarantine now until May 28. When asked how he felt when he found out his test was negative, he says, “I wasn’t scared. In Mumbai, I was in the ICU where nobody was allowed. Then, even when we were in the hotel, we hardly ventured out. We took all the necessary precautions. People don’t know where the virus is, we can’t see our enemy. We have to stay indoors for sometime now and we will have to keep our surroundings clean. We will have to avoid gatherings. And, all of this will hamper our economy.”
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