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Entertainment • Musician

Zubeen Garg

Zubeen Garg was an Indian singer, composer, songwriter, music producer, actor, film director, film producer, and philanthropist from Assam.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Zubeen Garg (born Zubeen Borthakur; 18 November 1972 – 19 September 2025) was an Indian singer, composer, songwriter, music producer, actor, film director, film producer, and philanthropist from Assam. He was known for his work in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and other languages, and was widely associated with Assamese popular music and Indian film music. He died in Singapore in September 2025 following a scuba diving accident.

Early life and background

Zubeen Garg was born as Zubeen Borthakur in Tura, Meghalaya, in 1972 and is widely described as having grown up in Assam. Sources describe him as coming from a musically inclined family.

Music career

He became known as a singer, composer, lyricist, and music producer, with major work in Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi music. Reports describe a long career spanning several decades and many recorded songs in multiple languages.

Film work and other activities

Beyond singing, Garg also worked as an actor, film director, film producer, and script writer. He was also described as a philanthropist and cultural figure.

Death and legacy

Garg died in Singapore on 19 September 2025 after a scuba diving accident. Following his death, coverage described him as a major cultural icon in Assam and Northeast India.

Key facts

  • Zubeen Garg was a multi-talented Indian artist from Assam, active in music, film, and philanthropy.
  • He recorded songs in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and other languages.
  • He played multiple musical instruments, including guitar, tabla, harmonium, mandolin, and dhol.
  • He died in Singapore on 19 September 2025 after a scuba diving accident.
  • He is remembered as a major cultural icon in Assam and Northeast India.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Zubeen Garg?
Zubeen Garg was an Indian singer and composer from Assam who also worked as an actor, producer, director, and songwriter.
What was Zubeen Garg known for?
He was known for Assamese music, playback singing, and songs in Bengali, Hindi, and other languages.
Where was Zubeen Garg born?
He was born in Tura, Meghalaya, India, on 18 November 1972.
When did Zubeen Garg die?
He died on 19 September 2025 in Singapore following a scuba diving accident.
Did Zubeen Garg work in films?
Yes. He also worked as an actor, film director, film producer, and script writer.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0958276/bio/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, death date/place, occupations, and multilingual music career.
  2. Hindi Wikipedia — https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97
    Supports: Death date, career scope, Assamese identity, and claim of extensive multilingual recording.
  3. India Today — https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/music/story/remembering-zubeen-garg-the-ya-ali-singer-and-assams-cultural-icon-who-lives-on-2790083-2025-09-19
    Supports: Death in Singapore after a scuba diving accident, age, and cultural significance.
  4. IMDb (Hindi) — https://www.imdb.com/hi/name/nm0958276/bio/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, death date/place, and selected films associated with him.