Zubeen Garg (born Zubeen Borthakur, 18 November 1972 — 19 September 2025) was one of Assam’s most influential cultural figures: a singer-songwriter, composer, actor and filmmaker whose work spanned Assamese, Bengali and Hindi cinema and who became a national name after his Bollywood breakthrough.

Early Life & Background

Zubeen was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya, into a culturally active family that later settled in Assam. His father Mohini Mohon Borthakur was a magistrate and also wrote poetry/lyrics under the pen-name Kapil Thakur; his mother Ily Borthakur was a singer. Named after the renowned music composer Zubin Mehta, young Zubeen grew up surrounded by music and began singing at an early age; his first formal exposure was through his mother and later teachers in classical and folk traditions.  He was given the surname “Garg” by his guru, Kalinath Sharma, as a mark of respect and artistic identity.

He passed matriculation from Tamulpur Higher Secondary School and briefly attended B. Borooah College in Guwahati before leaving college to pursue a full-time music career.

Musical Journey 

Early Assamese Career

• Zubeen’s professional career began in the early 1990s with Assamese albums such as Anamika. 
  • Zubeen Garg’s first recorded songs are “Tumi Junu Pariba Hun” and “Tumi Junaki Hubakh” for the album Ritu (1993). 
  • His debut album Anamika (1992) is often cited as his entry into the professional music world, but Ritu was where those two songs were first recorded.
• He soon established himself by blending folk, pop, rock and classical influences and writing songs that resonated deeply with Assamese listeners.

Multilingual, Multi-Genre Musician

• Over his career he recorded thousands of songs across more than 30–40 languages and dialects (Assamese, Bengali, Hindi and many regional tongues). 
• A true multi-instrumentalist, he played tabla, harmonium, guitar, mandolin, dotara and more. 
• He moved to Mumbai in the mid-1990s, worked in Bengali cinema and gradually crossed over to mainstream Bollywood.

Contribution in Bollywood

• Zubeen’s national profile soared after he sang “Ya Ali” for the 2006 Bollywood film Gangster, for which he won the best Playback singer at the global India film award. 
  • The song became a nationwide hit and brought him widespread recognition, mainstream award nominations, and opportunities in Hindi cinema.

Contribution to Assamese Film Industry

• Zubeen was a central figure in modern Assamese cinema: he composed music for numerous Assamese films, acted in and produced movies, and helped bring modern production values to the industry. 
• His work as music director boosted the reach of Assamese films like Hiya Diya Niya, Mon Jaai, Mission China, Kanchanjangha, Ratnakar and others.
• Through his production banner, he backed several big-budget Assamese films like Mission China (2017), Kanchanjangha (2019) and Ratnakar (2019) at a time when the industry was struggling for visibility.
• He also used film as a medium to highlight social issues — for example, Kanchanjangha explored corruption in public recruitment processes.

Social Contribution, Philanthropy and Literacy Work

Zubeen combined his celebrity with activism and humanitarian initiatives:

• Kalaguru Artiste Foundation: Through this charitable trust, he mobilised funds and relief materials during floods and other crises in Assam. 
  • His appeals often resulted in large collections of clothing, medicines and monetary donations.
• COVID Relief: During the pandemic, he offered his own two-storeyed house in Guwahati to function as a COVID care centre.
• Disaster Relief: He organised and participated in benefit concerts and even charity football matches to raise funds during natural disasters such as the Assam floods.
• On literacy and education: His foundation and charity efforts often included supporting schools, book donations and relief distributions that aided students in affected regions.
• Sports: He was a strong promoter of sports in Assam — he encouraged talents like boxer Shivam Thapa and sprinter Hima Das, and often organized or joined charity football matches to boost youth participation and raise funds for sports development.

Political Engagement & Public Causes

Zubeen was an outspoken figure on regional political issues:

• Anti-CAA Activism: He became a strong voice against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), performing and speaking at rallies, and urging peaceful protests. At times, he even suggested the creation of a new regional political platform to represent Assamese concerns.
• Known for his frankness, he remained respected as a cultural activist who used his popularity to amplify Assam’s issues and identity.

Awards, Honours and Recognitions

• National Film Award (Rajat Kamal): He received the National Award for Best Music Direction in a non-feature film (Echoes of Silence).
• Industry Awards: His Bollywood hit Ya Ali earned him nominations and accolades at major film award ceremonies, while he also won numerous regional awards including Prag Cine Awards for his contribution to Assamese cinema.
• Honorary Degrees: In 2024, the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya conferred upon him an honorary D.Litt. for his cultural contributions.
• Civic Honours: Frequently celebrated as the “heart-throb of Assam,” he was honoured by multiple institutions for his lifelong dedication to music and culture.

Institutes and Legacy Projects

• The Kalaguru Artiste Foundation is the main institution associated with him, functioning as a relief and cultural collective rather than a formal academy.
• Beyond this, his legacy lies in the generation of Assamese pop and film artists inspired by him, the rise of Assamese music on national platforms, and his vast catalogue of songs and films.

Artistic Style and Cultural Significance

Zubeen’s hallmark was genre fluidity: from Bihu and Assamese folk roots to rock, blues, sufi, Hindustani classical and Bollywood pop. He fused local idioms with modern sounds, giving Assamese music a new identity and visibility.

His music was not just entertainment but also a cultural and political voice for Assam.

Final Note

Zubeen Garg passed away on 19 September 2025 in Singapore while attending a festival. His sudden demise left a deep void in Assam and the wider Indian music world. He was more than an artist, a voice of identity, and a cultural icon who carried Assam to the global stage.