Zubeen Garg, the celebrated Assamese singer best known for his Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster, passed away at the age of 52 in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore on September 18, 2025. He was in the city to participate in the North East India Festival and to perform as a cultural ambassador.
Reports indicate that during a scuba diving activity, Garg experienced severe breathing difficulties. He was rescued and taken to Singapore General Hospital’s intensive care unit, where doctors made every effort to save him, but he was declared dead later that day.
Garg was born in 1972 in Meghalaya, and raised in Assam, with his birth name being Zubeen Borthakur. He began his musical journey at a young age and rose to widespread fame with the song Ya Ali. Over the course of a long and varied career, he sang in multiple languages including Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and many others.
His contribution to the Indian music industry extended beyond playback singing; he was also known for his regional albums and was deeply loved in the Northeast for his cultural impact. He had built a reputation not only for vocal ability but also for his ability to connect with audiences across linguistic and cultural lines.
News of Garg’s death drew condolences and tributes from colleagues, fans, and public figures. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called his passing “a deeply painful loss” and said, “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons.” Many expressed how Garg’s music brought joy, identity, and inspiration.
Organisers of the North East India Festival confirmed that Garg was slated to perform on September 20 and had posted days before the event, inviting fans to join him in Singapore. The announcement of his death, coming before the scheduled performance, has deeply saddened the festival community.
As details continue to emerge, the exact circumstances leading to the accident are still under investigation. Authorities are looking into how breathing complications developed, and whether safety protocols during the diving activity were in place and followed.
Zubeen Garg’s death leaves a void in the world of music — both in Bollywood and regional music circuits. His songs like Ya Ali, Dil Tu Hi Bataa, Jaane Kya Chahe Mann, and many others will continue to be cherished. The news has triggered an outpouring of grief across Assam and among music lovers across India and abroad.
