Zubeen Garg: The Voice That Became an Emotion

               There are singers who entertain, and then there are voices that become part of people’s lives — for Assam, and for countless music lovers across India and beyond, Zubeen Garg was not just a singer but a heartbeat, a feeling, and a bridge of emotion that tied generations together; when people in Assam utter his name, their eyes light up with both pride and tears, for some he was the mischievous boy who rose to become a global icon, for others the soulful voice that echoed in their happiest celebrations and loneliest nights, but for all, Zubeen was far more than a singer — he was an emotion, a movement, and an everlasting legacy.

Early Life and Education

Born on 18 November 1972 into an Assamese Brahmin family   in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen was destined to walk the path of art. Zubeen grew up in a household steeped in art and culture. His parents, father Mohini Mohon Borthakur was a poet and musician and mother Illy Borthakur was a singer and actress, gave him a childhood filled with creativity. Originally named Zubeen Borthakur, He was named after the great composer Zubin Mehta, a name that became prophetic.

While his given name came from a world stage, his surname was drawn from heritage. Instead of continuing with his parental surname Borthakur, he chose "Garg", the title of his Brahmin gotra. This decision gave him a distinctive identity-one that balanced global inspiration with Assamese tradition.

Zubeen did his schooling in Jorhat and later pursued Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Zoology from Jagannath Barooah College. But academics were never his true calling. Music flowed in his veins — he could sing, write, compose, and play multiple instruments with ease. After losing his sister Jonkey Borthakur, a promising singer, in a tragic accident, Zubeen vowed to carry forward her dream. That loss ignited a fire that shaped his journey forever.

Journey in Music and Cinema

From the very beginning, Zubeen sang like he was telling the world his own story. Zubeen’s first Assamese album “Anamika” (1992) brought him instant fame. Soon, he became a household name in Assam. But he didn’t stop there. He entered Bollywood with the blockbuster song “Ya Ali” (Gangster, 2006), which remains one of India’s most loved melodies.

Over the years, Zubeen recorded more than 38,000 songs in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and other languages. He worked not just as a singer, but also as a composer, lyricist, music director, and actor. He acted in several Assamese films, directed movies, and produced albums that shaped the music industry of Assam.

Some of his evergreen Assamese hits include Mayabini, Anamika, Maya, O Mor Apun Jan, and Tumi Mur. His Bollywood hits like Ya Ali, Dil Tu Hi Bataa, and Bismillah made him a national figure.

Yet, beyond fame, Zubeen belonged to the people. He sang in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, and more — breaking barriers of language because emotions needed no translation. He gave his listeners songs for every mood: the joy of love, the ache of separation, the rush of youth, and the silence of grief. His music accompanied weddings, heartbreaks, festivals, lonely nights, and journeys across rivers and hills.

But Zubeen was more than a singer. He was a performer, lyricist, composer, actor, and director — a complete artist. More importantly, he was a dreamer who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was known for his free spirit, his rebellious streak, and his fearless voice in raising social and political issues. For many, he was the cultural ambassador of Assam, someone who carried the identity of the Northeast with pride onto the national stage.

Nature and Personality

Behind the fame, Zubeen was known for his free spirit and rebellious nature. He spoke his mind fearlessly, whether in politics, social issues, or cultural debates. He could laugh like a child, fight like a warrior, and cry like a poet.

But what made him most loved was his kindness and generosity. Zubeen was always ready to help the needy. From donating to hospitals, supporting young musicians, to raising his voice for social causes, he never turned away from those who sought his help. Many recall how he personally supported struggling artists, sponsored medical treatments, and even helped victims of natural disasters in Assam.

Relationships That Defined Him

Zubeen Garg was not just a musician; he was a son, a brother, a husband, a friend, and above all, a companion to millions who never even met him. His relationships tell us as much about the man as his music did.

Family:

Zubeen’s family was the root of his art. His late sister, Jonkey Borthakur, was his first musical companion and his lifelong inspiration. Her untimely death carved a wound in him, but it also gave him purpose — every song he sang carried a silent tribute to her. His parents, Mohon and Ily, nurtured his dreams, and he always spoke of them with warmth and respect.

His marriage to Garima Saikia, a fashion designer, was another chapter of love and companionship. Gargi was not just his wife but his anchor, balancing his restless energy with stability and support. Their bond was built on quiet strength, away from the public spotlight.

Friends and Colleagues:

In the music and film industries, Zubeen had countless colleagues, but he treated many like family. Young singers, actors, and musicians often described him as a mentor and elder brother. He shared his knowledge freely, guided newcomers, and often gave them opportunities without expecting anything in return.

Despite his fame, he remained approachable. For him, friendship wasn’t about status or popularity; it was about loyalty and genuine connection. His inner circle often said that Zubeen could fight fiercely for his friends, and cry openly for them too.

With Fans:

Perhaps Zubeen’s most beautiful relationship was with his fans. He didn’t see them as an audience — he saw them as his extended family. At concerts, he would interact like an old friend, laughing, joking, and sometimes even scolding with affection. Fans often said they felt seen and heard by him, as if his songs were written just for them.

His connection was so strong that in his final farewell, lakhs of people poured into the streets — not out of duty, but out of love. From children to elders, villagers to city dwellers, rich to poor — all cried the same tears. That bond was unique, and it will never be forgotten.

With Society:

Zubeen also maintained a deep relationship with his homeland. He wasn’t afraid to criticize what was wrong, whether in politics, governance, or society. People admired him for being fearlessly honest, even when it created controversies. He was not a distant celebrity; he was a people’s man, someone who belonged to the masses and stood with them in times of struggle.

Zubeen and the Common People

If there was one thing that set Zubeen Garg apart from other stars, it was his unbreakable bond with ordinary people.

Despite his fame, he never built walls around himself. You could find him sipping tea at a roadside stall, chatting with rickshaw pullers, or walking barefoot through the villages of Assam. For Zubeen, life was not about glamour — it was about belonging.

When he sang, he did not sing for a stage, but for the farmer working in the paddy field, the youth cycling to college, the mother humming while cooking rice, or the lonely traveler on a rainy night. His music spoke the language of ordinary lives — full of struggle, love, and hope.

Zubeen often donated quietly to families in need, paid hospital bills for strangers, and supported children’s education without ever announcing it. For him, helping someone was not charity — it was responsibility.

At concerts, he mingled with fans like a friend, often pulling people on stage to sing with him. He would say: “Moi gan to manuhor babei gaou” (I sing only for my people). That was the truth of his life.

And that is why, when he passed away, it wasn’t just mourning — it was heartbreak. People who had never met him cried as though they had lost a family member. In towns and villages, from tea gardens to riverbanks, candles burned and his songs played. Even the simplest villager felt: “We have lost one of our own.”

A Heart That Loved All Creatures

Zubeen Garg’s compassion extended far beyond humans. He had a natural affinity for animals, believing that every living being deserved love, care, and respect. From stray dogs wandering the streets of Assam to injured birds, wild animals and domestic pets, Zubeen often went out of his way to help them.He was known to rescue stray animals, feed them, and ensure they received medical care if needed

 

Love for Assam and the Northeast

Zubeen was not just an artist; he was the cultural ambassador of Assam. He carried his homeland in every stage he stood on, from Guwahati to Mumbai to London. Wherever he went — from small village stages to international concerts — he carried the identity of Assam proudly His concerts were not just shows —they were festivals of unity, they were emotional gatherings where thousands sang in unison, waving the Assamese flag and shouting his name. and felt as if they were part of something larger than life.

 

Final Days and Death

Even in his final years, Zubeen remained unstoppable. He continued performing live, recording new songs, and encouraging young talent. But the restless life, constant travel, and years of dedication took a toll on his health.

On 19 September 2025, the unthinkable happened — Assam lost its dearest voice. Zubeen Garg passed away, leaving behind a silence that no other sound could fill. News of Zubeen’s passing spread like wildfire, and Assam wept as one. The state declared official mourning, and lakhs of people — young and old, rich and poor — poured into the streets with tears, flowers, and prayers. Streets overflowed with tearful faces, candles flickered in every corner, and his songs played everywhere — turning grief into a collective chorus. Even the nature and skies seemed to mourn, as rains and thunder echoed over the land he loved so dearly accompanying his farewell.

 

The Final Chapter: His Last Day

On 19 September 2025, Zubeen Garg was in Singapore, invited by members of the local Assamese community for a short visit before the North East Festival. Always curious, adventurous, and full of life, he agreed to join a friend on a yacht ride to Lazarus Island, a serene getaway surrounded by the sea.

There, Zubeen decided to take a swim — something he often enjoyed during his travels. But destiny had other plans. While in the water, he suddenly suffered a seizure. Those around him tried to help, but within moments, the joy of a simple swim turned into a tragedy no one could stop. Despite being rushed for medical aid, his vibrant voice was silenced forever.

Doctors later confirmed the cause of death: sudden seizure while swimming, leading to drowning complications.

Shock and Heartbreak

The news spread like lightning across Assam and the world. At first, many refused to believe it, clinging to the hope that it was just a rumor. But when confirmation arrived, disbelief turned into unbearable grief.

For his fans, the pain was indescribable. He had gone not through old age or long illness, but suddenly, in the middle of his journey, leaving behind unfinished songs, unwritten lyrics, and unspoken dreams.

The government of Assam declared three days of state mourning (20–22 September 2025), but beyond official rituals, the true mourning was visible in the streets — people lighting candles, singing his songs in choked voices, and holding each other in tears.

A Life That Could Not Be Silenced

Though the sea at Lazarus Island claimed him, Zubeen Garg left behind something the waters could never drown: his voice, his music, and his spirit. For the people, he did not die; he simply crossed over into eternity, where his songs will echo forever.

Legacy

Zubeen Garg’s story is not one of endings. His songs continue to live — in wedding halls, in rainy evenings, in long journeys, and in every heart that ever found comfort in his voice.

Though Zubeen is no longer physically among us, his songs will never die. From the rustic villages of Assam to the skyscrapers of Mumbai, from weddings to lonely rainy nights, his voice will continue to live. For the Assamese people, he is not just a memory — he is an eternal heartbeat.

He gave Assam more than music. He gave it a voice, an identity, and a soul. And though he has left the stage, his presence remains — eternal, unbroken, and deeply alive.

Zubeen Garg’s life teaches us that true artists never belong only to themselves. They belong to the people, to the land, and to time itself. He came as a singer, but he left as an emotion that will guide generations.

And as long as music lives, Zubeen Garg will live too — in every note, every lyric, every soul he once touched.

Zubeen Garg was not just an artist. He was, and will always be, an emotion.