Zubeen Garg, the iconic Assamese singer known widely for the Bollywood chartbuster ‘Ya Ali,’ has passed away following a tragic scuba diving incident in Singapore. The Northeast India Festival confirmed that Garg faced severe breathing difficulties during the dive and was given CPR on site before being taken to Singapore General Hospital. Despite all efforts, he was declared dead in the ICU at approximately 2:30 PM IST.

The news has sent shockwaves throughout Assam and beyond, with an outpouring of condolences and tributes on social media. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mourned the loss, describing Zubeen as a cherished cultural treasure whose music touched countless lives and whose absence will be deeply felt.

Minister Ashok Singhal echoed these sentiments, calling Garg not just a singer but the “heartbeat of Assam,” whose contributions transcended regional boundaries. Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora also expressed his anguish, remembering Zubeen’s inspiring legacy.

Zubeen Garg’s musical journey was marked by significant contributions to Assamese music as well as the Hindi and Bengali film industries. His breakthrough Bollywood hit ‘Ya Ali’ from the film ‘Gangster’ earned him widespread acclaim and multiple award nominations. His untimely demise leaves a profound void in the world of Indian music and Assamese cultural heritage.