AssamZubeen Garg: A Life in Moments – The Journey of Assam’s Musical LegendZubeen Garg, the iconic voice of Northeast India whose soulful melodies and versatile artistry captivated generations, was more than just a singer; he was a cultural phenomenon.DY365 Sep 19, 2025 16:44 IST 1/10Assam's legend was born in Tura, Meghalaya (then Assam)Born Zubeen Borthakur on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, Garg's life was a symphony of passion, tragedy, and triumph. His father, Mohini Mohan Borthakur (pen name Kapil Thakur), was a lyricist and poet, while his mother, Ily Borthakur, was a dancer, actress, and singer—roots that deeply influenced his artistic journey. 2/10Zubeen Garg was named after legendary composer Zubin MehtaNamed after the legendary composer Zubin Mehta, young Zubeen showed prodigious talent from an early age. He passed his matriculation from Tamulpur Higher Secondary School and enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program at B Borooah College in Guwahati. However, his calling to music proved irresistible; he dropped out to pursue a full-time career in singing, a decision that would redefine Assamese music. 3/10Zubeen records his debut albumGarg's professional ascent began in 1992 with his debut album Anamika, an instant hit that revolutionised the Assamese music scene and blended folk traditions with contemporary sounds.Advertisment 4/10Zubeen ties the knotOn February 4, 2002, Zubeen married Garima Saikia, his lifelong partner from Golaghat. Yet, this year was bittersweet. Months later, his younger sister, Jonkey Borthakur, a rising actress and singer, tragically died in a car accident near Tezpur. Zubeen channelled his grief into the album Xixu, a heartfelt tribute to Jonkey that resonated deeply with fans. 5/10Bollywood Breakthrough: “Ya Ali” (2006)In 2006, Zubeen stormed Bollywood with “Ya Ali” from Gangster, a Sufi-rock anthem that topped charts across India, the Middle East, and South Asia. The song earned him the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA). With over 200 Hindi film songs and contributions to movies like Fiza and Kaante, Zubeen became a national sensation. 6/10A Multifaceted Artist: Acting and Directing (2000–2017)Zubeen’s talents extended beyond singing. He acted in and directed Assamese films like Tumi Mur Mathu Mur (2000), which he also wrote, and starred in Daag (2001), Bidhata (2003), and Kanchanjangha. His directorial venture Mission China (2017) was a blockbuster, and his music direction for Echoes of Silence won a National Film Award in 2018. 7/10Zubeen recorded over 32000 songsHis discography boasts over 40 albums and an astonishing 32,000+ songs recorded in nearly 40 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Bodo, and Nepali. This prolific output earned him the moniker "The Voice of the Northeast. 8/10Honours through his lifeIn 2011, he was honoured as Guest Artist of the Year by the Assam Convention in Chicago. He received multiple Best Music Director and Best Playback Singer awards from regional and national platforms. His most recent honour came on May 27, 2024, when the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, bestowed upon him an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree. 9/10Zubeen did not follow caste or religionOpenly irreligious and caste-agnostic, Garg once said, "I don't have any caste or religion," embodying a universal spirit in his work. Though health challenges, including a 2022 head injury and a recent collapse during a recording session, tested his resilience, Zubeen Garg's legacy endured. 10/10Zubeen Garg passed away during a scuba diving accidentWhile he had survived several health-related issues in the past, on September 19, 2025, he finally passed away during a scuba diving incident. People across Assam were left shattered as the report of Zubeen's death came in. Read the Next Article
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