Zubeen Garg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zubeen Garg
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Garg live in concert in 2023
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| Born |
Zubeen Borthakur
18 November 1972 Tura, Meghalaya, India
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| Died | 19 September 2025 (aged 52) |
| Cause of death | seizure attack |
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| Years active | 1992–2025 |
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Works
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| Spouse(s) |
Garima Saikia Garg
(m. 2002) |
| Awards | Full list |
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| Origin | Jorhat, Assam, India |
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Zubeen Garg (born Zubeen Borthakur, November 18, 1972 – September 19, 2025) was a very talented Indian musician. He was famous for his singing and work in the Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi film and music industries. Zubeen Garg sang in over 40 different languages and dialects! He was also a multi-instrumentalist, meaning he could play many instruments. Some of the 12 instruments he played included the tabla, guitar, harmonium, and keyboard. He was known as one of Assam's most popular and highest-paid singers.
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Early Life
Zubeen Garg was born in Tura, Meghalaya, India. His father, Mohini Mohon Borthakur, was a writer and poet, and his mother, Late Ily Borthakur, was a singer. Zubeen was named after the famous music composer Zubin Mehta. He used his family name Garg as his surname.
He went to Tamulpur Higher Secondary School and later studied at Karimganj College and B. Borooah College. However, he decided to leave college to focus completely on his passion for singing. Zubeen had a younger sister, Jongki Borthakur, who was also an actress and singer. He released an album called Xixhu in 2002 in her memory.
Musical Journey
Zubeen Garg's musical journey began very early. He started singing when he was just three years old! His first teacher was his mother, who taught him how to sing. He also learned to play the tabla for 11 years from Pandit Robin Banerjee. Guru Ramani Rai introduced him to the beautiful sounds of Assamese folk music. Zubeen started composing his own songs even when he was still in school.
First Steps in Music
Zubeen gained confidence to become a professional singer after winning a gold medal for his solo performance at a youth festival in 1992. Soon after, he released his first Assamese album, Anamika, in November 1992. He recorded his first songs, "Tumi Junu Pariba Hun" and "Tumi Junaki Hubakh," for the album Ritu, which came out in 1993. He released many successful albums like Xapunor Xur (1992), Junaki Mon (1993), Maya (1994), and Asha (1995). Before moving to Mumbai in 1995, his Bihu album Ujan Piriti became very popular.
Bollywood and Beyond
In 1995, Zubeen moved to Mumbai to work in the Bollywood music industry. There, he released his first solo Hindi album, Chandni Raat. He continued to release more Hindi albums and sang for several films, including Dil Se (1998) and Fiza (2000).
His big breakthrough in Bollywood came in 2006 with the song "Ya Ali" from the movie Gangster. This song was a huge hit and earned him the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards in 2006. He also started singing in the Bengali music industry in 2003 and became a music director for the film Shudhu Tumi in 2004. Zubeen Garg continued to create and perform music across different languages throughout his career.
Helping Others
Zubeen Garg was not just a musician; he also cared deeply about helping people. He ran a charity called the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation, which raised money for many good causes. When Assam faced terrible floods, he encouraged everyone to donate clothes, medicines, and money to help those affected.
He also used his films to highlight important issues. For example, in his movie Kanchanjangha, he spoke out against corruption. Zubeen was also a big football fan and played matches to collect funds for flood victims. During a rise in COVID-19 cases in May 2021, he even offered his own two-story house in Guwahati to be used as a COVID Care Centre, showing his generosity.
Personal Life
Zubeen Garg married Garima Saikia, a fashion designer from Golaghat, Assam, on February 4, 2002.
His Passing
On September 19, 2025, Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore at the age of 52. He had experienced breathing difficulties during a scuba diving session. He received immediate medical attention and was taken to Singapore General Hospital, but sadly, he was declared dead in the intensive care unit.
His passing brought great sadness across India. Many leaders and fans expressed their grief and remembered his amazing contributions to music and society. He was truly seen as a pride for the people of Assam.
Lasting Impact
To honor Zubeen Garg and celebrate his life, a 20-foot statue was unveiled by the singer himself on December 2, 2022, during the Nazirating Tamuli Tourism Festival in Digboi. Villagers of Tengapani also built a bamboo bridge across the Na Dihing river and named it after Zubeen Garg, which he inaugurated on February 29, 2020. These tributes show how much he was loved and respected.
Awards and Recognition
Zubeen Garg received many awards and honors throughout his career for his incredible talent.
- In 2005, he won the BFJA Award for Best Music Director for the film Shudhu Tumi.
- In 2006, his hit song "Ya Ali" from the movie Gangster earned him the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards.
- He also received the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction in 2009 for Echoes of Silence.
- In 2011, he was honored as a guest artist by the Assam Convention in the United States.
- The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, awarded him an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree on May 27, 2024.
- In 2021, he won the Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Tomar Khola Hawa" from the Assamese film Bride By Chance.
See also
In Spanish: Zubeen Garg para niños
- List of Indian playback singers
- List of Indian male film actors
- List of Indian film directors
- List of Indian music directors
