Popular Indian singer Zubeen Garg died at age 52 following a swimming accident in Singapore on Friday, September 20, 2024. The Bollywood star, known for his hit song “Ya Ali,” was in the island nation to perform at the North East India Festival when the incident occurred.
Garg was participating in a yacht trip with 18 people, including members of the local Assamese community, when he jumped into the water wearing a life jacket. According to witness accounts and social media footage, he returned to the boat just over a minute later to remove the oversized life jacket, citing difficulty swimming with it on. He subsequently became unwell and was pulled from the water.
Singapore police rescued Garg from the ocean and immediately administered CPR before rushing him to Singapore General Hospital. Despite intensive medical efforts, doctors were unable to save him, and he was declared dead in the intensive care unit at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the Singapore High Commission issued a death certificate listing drowning as the cause of death. Sarma stated, “This was not an age to go.”
The North East India Festival, scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday, was immediately canceled following news of Garg’s death. Festival organizers expressed their profound grief in a statement, noting they had no prior knowledge of the yacht excursion and learned of the tragedy through a call from Garg’s manager during a business meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel.
Born Zubeen Borthakur in Assam, Garg rose to national prominence in the 1990s through his work in Bollywood, Assamese and Bengali film industries. His career spanned more than three decades, during which he sang in dozens of languages and dialects. His biggest breakthrough came in 2006 with “Ya Ali,” featured in the movie “Gangster,” which earned him the Global Indian Film Awards for best playback singer that year.
Beyond “Ya Ali,” Garg recorded thousands of songs across multiple languages, including other Bollywood hits such as “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from “Krrish 3” and “Jaane Kya Chahe Man” from “Pyaar Ke Side Effects.” His versatility extended beyond singing to include composing, acting, directing and philanthropy work with youth and social causes.
For the people of Assam and the broader Northeast region, Garg represented far more than entertainment. He served as a cultural icon and unifying voice whose music captured both regional pride and the experiences of the area’s inhabitants. His influence in promoting local music and cinema made him a symbol of Assamese identity.
Political leaders and fellow musicians paid tribute to Garg following news of his death. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at the sudden loss, noting that Garg would be remembered for his rich contribution to music and his popularity across all walks of life. Rahul Gandhi, a member of the Indian National Congress, described Garg’s voice as having defined a generation with unmatched talent.
Assam Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal announced that the state government decided to build memorials in two locations to honor Garg’s legacy. One memorial will be constructed in Kamarkuchi village, where his cremation took place, and another will be built in Jorhat city, where his ashes were taken.
Music industry figures also expressed their grief over the loss. Oscar and Grammy winner A.R. Rahman indicated that fans, family and friends would miss Garg deeply. Playback singer Papon described losing both a friend and brother, while composer Vishal Dadlani called Garg a true megastar and lover of Assam whose departure left an unfillable void.
The Assam state government declared two days of mourning before Garg’s cremation, which took place on Tuesday, September 24. His body lay in state in the capital city of Guwahati for public tribute, where hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects. Chief Minister Sarma described the loss as immense for both the state and nation.
Garg’s death marks the end of a remarkable career that bridged regional and national music industries. His ability to connect with audiences across linguistic and cultural boundaries established him as one of India’s most versatile and beloved performers, leaving behind a musical legacy that spans multiple generations and languages.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/world/india/zubeen-garg-singer-ya-ali-dies-scuba-diving-incident-rcna232815
https://divemagazine.com/scuba-diving-news/bollywood-star-singer-zubeen-garg-dies-scuba-diving
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/popular-indian-singer-dies-diving-115046970.html
https://people.com/zubeen-garg-dead-scuba-diving-emergency-drowning-11814203
https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/ya-ali-singer-zubeen-garg-dies-at-52-during-a-scuba-diving-accident-in-singapore-101758275949492.html
