The Assamese singer, musician, and cultural icon Zubeen Garg passed away on September 19, 2025, in Singapore at the age of 52. News of his death has brought widespread grief, with tributes pouring in from across India.

Garg's death was the result of an accident while swimming. Initial reports suggested a scuba diving incident, but his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, clarified that he had suffered a seizure while swimming without a life jacket. He was rushed to Singapore General Hospital, where doctors were unable to revive him.

The Assam government has declared a three-day state mourning from September 20 to 22, during which there will be no official entertainment or ceremonial functions. The state government is also providing full support to bring his body back to Assam and ensure that the funeral is conducted with the utmost respect.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Zubeen Garg will be cremated with full state honors on September 23. The cremation will take place at Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati. The decision to cremate him near Guwahati was made respecting the wishes of Garg's family. While some had proposed Jorhat as the location for the last rites, the government prioritized the family's preference.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu inspected potential cremation sites in the Sonapur area before Kamarkuchi was finalized. Authorities are now working to prepare the site for the large number of people expected to attend the funeral.

Zubeen Garg, born Zubeen Borthakur on November 18, 1972, was a prominent figure in the Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi music and film industries. He sang in over 40 languages and dialects and was a multi-instrumentalist. Garg was known for hit songs such as "Ya Ali" from the Bollywood film Gangster. He received numerous awards, including a Best Music Direction Award at the 55th National Film Awards for the non-feature film, Echoes of Silence. In 2024, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature degree by the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya.

The outpouring of grief and the decision to honor Zubeen Garg with a state funeral reflect his immense popularity and cultural significance in Assam and beyond. His music touched the lives of many, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations.