Agartala/Ukhrul, Sept 20: He was an enigma: adored and chastised, controversial yet cherished, brilliant yet flawed. In life and in music, Zubeen Garg defied easy labels. In death, he has united Assam in silent mourning for a star who lived large, gave generously, and sang without compromise.
On Saturday, Guwahati and much of Assam came to a standstill. Shops were shuttered, streets turned desolate, and homes fell quiet. The mood, as one mourner described, was “like the heartbeat of Assam itself has gone silent.” Instead of loud processions, candlelight vigils emerged across the state — a collective silence heavy with grief, as his mortal remains were being flown from Singapore.
The 52-year-old singer died in Singapore after a tragic scuba diving accident. His sudden demise has stunned not only Assam but the entire Northeast. “The depth of people’s love for him is beyond measure,” said a local cultural activist, adding that “he was not just a singer, but a symbol of resilience, protest, and pride for Assam.”
Zubeen’s life was as colourful and contradictory as his music. Friends recalled how he “gave generously to the poor and needy, insisting he required little for himself.” At the same time, he wrestled openly with alcohol, sometimes drinking so heavily on stage that he stumbled. Yet, as fans pointed out, “the very next day, people would embrace him again, unable to resist the magic of his music and the larger-than-life persona he embodied.”
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He was fearless too, often courting controversies with his outspoken protests. During one such moment, he challenged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a demolition site, daring him to appear in person.
The Chief Minister later reflected on that memory with warmth, writing on X: “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons. I am at a loss for words to describe what Zubeen meant for Assam. His 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. 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.”
National leaders also paid heartfelt tributes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: “Shocked by the sudden demise of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music. His renditions were very popular among people across all walks of life. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the grief, posting: “Deeply saddened to know about the demise of Zubeen Garg Ji, an iconic singer, musician, and film personality from Assam. He mesmerized listeners for decades with his golden voice and wove the threads of unity across India with his timeless music. His passing away leaves a void that will never be filled. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and millions of followers in these difficult times. Om Shanti.”
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Meanwhile, the North East Media Forum in New Delhi issued a tribute that captured his cultural significance: “With profound grief, the North East Media Forum mourns the untimely demise of Zubeen Garg, the voice and spirit of Assam, who passed away today in Singapore. Zubeen was far more than a singer.”
“He was a cultural icon, a storyteller whose songs carried the hopes, sorrows, and dreams of millions. Singing in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and many other languages, he built bridges across regions and generations. His sudden passing at just 52 has left an irreplaceable void. Yet his legacy will endure in his timeless songs and in the countless lives he touched,” they added.
Though enigmatic, his magical voice and electrifying performances captivated audiences for decades — from folk ballads of Assam to the Bollywood classic Ya Ali, which still echoes across the subcontinent. He was flawed, rebellious, outspoken, but always deeply human.