Important Facts About Zubeen Garg
- Full name: Zubeen Borthakur; he was popularly known by his stage name, Zubeen Garg.
- Born: 18 November 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, India.
- Profession: Singer, composer, songwriter, music director, actor, filmmaker, music producer and social worker.
- Languages: He worked mainly in Assamese, Bengali and Hindi, and also sang in several other Indian languages and dialects.
- First album: His debut Assamese album, Anamika, was released in 1992 when he was 19 years old.[zubeengarg]
- Popular Bollywood song: He became widely known across India for singing “Ya Ali” in the Hindi film Gangster (2006). He also sang popular songs such as “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from Krrish 3.[thehindu]
- Musical talent: Zubeen played several musical instruments, including the guitar, drums, keyboard and tabla. He was known for his energetic singing style and powerful stage performances.
- Film career: Apart from singing, he acted in and contributed to Assamese films as a composer, director and producer. His work helped bring Assamese cinema and music to a wider audience.
- National recognition: He received the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the non-feature film Echoes of Silence.
- Cultural importance: In Assam, he was popularly regarded as the “voice of Assam.” His songs connected strongly with Assamese culture, Bihu celebrations, local traditions and everyday emotions.
- Number of songs: Various reports credit him with recording thousands of songs in around 40 languages and dialects. Exact figures differ between sources, so it is safer to describe him as one of India’s most prolific regional singers.[indianexpress]
- Death: Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on 19 September 2025, aged 52, after drowning during a swimming outing near Lazarus Island. He had travelled to Singapore to attend and perform at the North East India Festival.[bbc][economictimes.indiatimes]
- Cause of death: A Singapore coroner later ruled that his death was an accidental drowning and found no evidence of foul play.[bbc]
- Legacy: His music continues to influence Assamese popular culture, and his songs remain widely loved throughout Assam, Northeast India and among fans of Indian regional music.
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