Zubeen Garg: The Heartthrob of Assam

There are very few people in the history of any culture who carry an entire civilization on their shoulders through music, through film, through activism, through sheer presence. In Assam, that person was Zubeen Garg. For over three decades, Zubeen was not just a singer or an actor or a filmmaker. He was a people’s icon. He was the voice of the people, the conscience of a generation, and the heartthrob of millions whose music, courage, and vision inspired Assam to stand together and take pride in its identity.

This is the story of that extraordinary life, from his childhood to the millions who lined the streets of Guwahati to say goodbye.

How Did Assamese Music Find Its Voice Again in the Early 1990s?

The late 1980s brought a new wave to Assamese music. Keyboards and drums replaced the tabla and harmonium on stage. The acoustic guitar turned electric. There were many artists that were leading the energy, and for a while, Assamese music felt genuinely alive again.

But by the early 1990s, something began to fade. New songs and albums became rare. Musicians drifted towards Mumbai one by one, drawn by the promise of the Bollywood world. Assamese music began to wither again, quietly but noticeably.

Then suddenly, in the early 90s, a song began to spread from one end of Assam to the other, through every street and every home: “Hahile Tumi Mukuta Moni Sare.” It was the sound of a renaissance. In 1993, Zubeen Garg released his first album, “Anamika” and with it, he introduced a completely new wave to Assamese music that the state had never heard before. From that moment onward, Zubeen became not only the voice of Assam but also the source from which an entire younger generation drew its inspiration.

Where Was Zubeen Garg Born, and How Was His Childhood Like?

Zubeen was born on 18 November 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya. His father, Mohini Mohan Barthakur, also known as Kapil Thakur, named him after the famous Indian conductor of western classical music, Zubin Mehta. The name “Zubeen” means “sword.” His father was working in Tura at the time as an administrative officer.

His mother, Eli Barthakur, had a naturally gifted voice but never performed in public. Zubeen has spoken repeatedly about how his early musical education came directly from his mother; those formative hours listening to her voice at home planted the seed of everything that followed.

Zubeen was the eldest child in the family. His two sisters, Jonkey Barthakur and Pami Barthakur, were both culturally gifted. His elder sister Jonkey was a talented singer and actress who later sang in several of Zubeen Garg‘s popular songs and acted in multiple Assamese films. Tragically, she passed away prematurely in a road accident. His younger sister Pami Barthakur is currently a teacher at Royal Global University in Guwahati. His mother also died in the year 2001, a few months before his sister’s death.

From childhood, Zubeen showed deep curiosity across multiple fields, singing, literature, and languages all held his attention simultaneously. Books were among his closest companions. His father, beyond his role as an administrative officer, was also known as a scholar, poet, and songwriter. From early on, he encouraged Zubeen to read widely across languages and genres, nurturing the broad intellectual appetite that later showed up across everything Zubeen created. In the year 2002, he married Garima Saikia Garg, who later became a renowned fashion designer in Assam.

Where did Zubeen Garg Started his Educational Journey and How was his College Days Like?

Zubeen began his school life at Carmel School in Jorhat. He completed his high school final exams from Tamulpur Higher Secondary School. After that, he joined the science stream at Jagannath Barooah College in Jorhat, now a university, for his higher secondary studies.

During his time at J.B. College, Zubeen became increasingly involved with music. He started playing the keyboard at various events and quickly became recognized more as a musician and instrumentalist than anything else. He collaborated during this period with popular Assamese artists, including Jitul Sonowal and Luna Sonowal. Beyond the keyboard, Zubeen also played the tabla, guitar, and the khol with considerable skill.

In 1991, he performed three songs at Akashvani’s Jorhat station, his first significant public performance on record. In 1992, he won a gold medal at the Inter-College Youth Festival of Gauhati University’s Western song competition.

After J.B. College, he enrolled in the chemistry department at B. Barooah College in Guwahati to pursue his bachelor’s degree. However, midway through his college exams, Zubeen made a decision that changed the course, he left academics entirely and dedicated himself fully to music. That was the moment everything began.

How Did Zubeen Garg’s Musical Career Begin and Grow?

In 1993, using his own savings, Zubeen Garg released his first music album under N.K. Productions. The album was titled “Anamika.”

It is important to understand the full context of this album. Before Anamika, Zubeen had contributed his voice to albums called “Xoponar Xur” and “Ritu”, but in those projects he only sang and composed some songs. Anamika was different. In Anamika, Zubeen handled everything himself, the music, the lyrics, and the tunes. That self-sufficiency is why Anamika is officially considered his first album, and it changed Assamese music within months of its release.

The success of Anamika was followed quickly by one album after another, each reinforcing his position as the defining voice of a generation:

• Maya (1994) — took Zubeen to the peak of success in Assam
• Asha (1995) — cemented his place as a household name across the state
• Zubeen’s Gaan (1996)—deepened his connection with the Assamese audience
• Muktir (1997) — continued the momentum of an unstoppable creative run

Alongside modern songs, Zubeen brought Assamese folk music back to the youth of Assam through Bihu songs, Tokari songs, and Bargit. In 1998, he released his first Bihu song album, titled “Ujan Piriti.” Furthermore, Zubeen did not limit himself to Assamese, during his lifetime, he lent his voice to over 40 languages. In 1997, he released his first Bengali album, “Surer Uphar,” establishing a meaningful presence in the music world of West Bengal as well.

How Was Zubeen Garg’s Journey in Bollywood?

In the middle of 1995, Zubeen Garg moved to Mumbai to enter the Bollywood music industry. His first Hindi indie-pop solo album there was titled “Chandni Raat.”

Toward the end of 1995, he met singer Mahalaxmi Iyer. Together they recorded the song “Ujagari Nishar Utala Mon” for Zubeen’s album, which was released in January 1996 as Mahalaxmi Iyer’s first album, a milestone in both their careers.

Between 1996 and 1997, Zubeen released several Hindi cover and remix albums that gained considerable public attention:

• Tere Mere Beach Mein (1996)
• Chanda (1996)
• Shraddhanjali Vol. 1 (1997)
• Shraddhanjali Vol. 2 (1997)

In August 1996, Bollywood actress-turned-singer Rageshwari released an album called “Maine Dekha Hai Sabhi Rang Duniya Ke”, where Zubeen played the first introductory guitar section. It was an album where he just worked as a musician.

At the beginning of 1998, Zubeen made his debut as a Bollywood playback singer, recording the songs “Kuch To Kaho” and “Dil Mera Churaya Ek Haseena.” A few months later, he also sang his first Assamese film song, “Buku Duru Duru,” in the movie “Joubone Amoni Kore.” In November 1998, his second Hindi indie-pop album, “Yuhi Kavi,” was released, featuring actress Bhumiqa Shawl, and this became his first music video to be aired on Channel V and MTV.

In November 2000, Zubeen participated in the debut album of music directors Salim-Suleiman, where he recorded the Assamese Borgeet song “Khuno Khuno Re”, which became Bollywood’s first album to feature an Assamese song, a historic moment for both Zubeen and Assamese music.

How Did “Ya Ali” Change Zubeen Garg’s Bollywood Position?

Zubeen Garg achieved his biggest breakthrough in Bollywood with the gangster film in which he sang “Ya Ali. ” The song became one of the most recognized songs of its era and earned Zubeen the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) and IIFA awards in 2006.

In February 2007, he collaborated with the legendary Ustad Sultan Khan to sing “Jag Lal Lal Lal” for the film Big Brother. Later that year, on August 29, 2007, his Hindi album “Zindagi” was released, continuing his presence in the Hindi music industry long after the Ya Ali breakthrough had established him nationally.

What Was Zubeen Garg’s Contribution to Assamese Cinema?

Zubeen Garg‘s passion for Assamese cinema went far beyond singing film songs. He wanted to make films that genuinely represented Assam.

In the early 2000s, under NK Productions, he released his first Assamese film “Tumi Mor Matho Mur”, making his debut simultaneously as music director, singer, actor, and director in the same project. In the same year, he worked with renowned Assamese director Munin Barua on the film “Hiya Diya Niya,” which was Zubeen’s first Assamese film as a music director.

In 2002, his second film, “Prem Aru Prem,” was released, in which he acted. In 2004, he acted in another Munin Barua’s film “Dinabandhu,” which won the Best Feature Film in Assamese at the 52nd National Film Awards in 2005. In 2008, Zubeen acted in the film “Monjai,” which won the National Film Award twice. In 2009, he also connected with television audiences through the Assamese TV serial “Anuradha.”

In 2017, Zubeen launched a new wave in Assamese cinema by producing. He was the producer, director, music arranger and also lead actor of the film. “Mission China”, the most expensive Assamese film of that time. He traveled to schools, colleges, and universities across Assam, personally encouraging the younger generation to watch the film. With his direct support, several previously closed Cinema halls reopened. Interestingly, the camera used in the film was first purchased by Zubeen in India.

Additionally, Zubeen acted in numerous other Assamese films across the years:

• Bhal Pablo Najanilo (2012)
• Rodar Chithi (2014)
• Gaane Ki Aane (2016)
• Priyar Priya (2017)
• The Underworld (2018)
• Kanchanjungha (2019)
• Rajniti (2022)
• Wide Angle (2022)
• Dr. Bezbaruah 2 (2023)
• Sikar (2024)

In 2025, his dream project “Roi Roi Binale” was produced and released, earning the highest profit in the history of Assamese cinema. Tragically, it was released after his passing.

Why Was Zubeen Garg Considered as the Inspiration for Many Assamese Youth ?

After the era of Srimanta Sankardeva, Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Zubeen emerged as the one who tried to  unite the people of Assam across generations and communities. He believed in universal values, where humanity always came before differences of religion, caste, or community. For him, every community and every faith was equal, and this belief was reflected in both his life and his work. Through his music, words, and actions, he carried a vision of a united and golden Assam that inspired millions.

A compassionate humanitarian and generous philanthropist, Zubeen dedicated himself to the welfare of the people of Assam. He was deeply involved in social causes, from campaigns to protect trees to public movements for justice. He also actively participated in the different movements alongside students across Assam. People from every corner of society came to his home day and night seeking help, and he never turned anyone away. Here is a look at how his humanitarian work and social activism touched Assam far beyond the stage.

• Mobilised donations of clothes, medicines, and food whenever devastating floods hit Assam
• He Travelled across Assam, from one end to the other, playing friendly football matches to raise funds for flood-affected families
• In May 2021, offered one of his two-storey houses in Guwahati to be converted into a COVID care centre during the surge of COVID-19 cases

He directed his own hard-earned money toward helping people in genuine need, a habit that never stopped, no matter how big his name grew.

How Did Zubeen Garg Pass Away and What Followed?

On September 19, 2025, Zubeen passed away in Singapore at the age of 52. He was seen swimming in the  sea near the coast of St. John’s Island without a life jacket before his death. News of his death reached Assam around 2:30 PM.

He had traveled to Singapore to perform at the Northeast Festival alongside fellow artists. His final performance before this trip took place on September 7, 2025, in Mumbai, a ceremony marking the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The day before leaving for Singapore, Zubeen personally inaugurated a museum of his songs and creations in Hatigaon, Guwahati, a museum which was established by a young man named Vishal Kalita.

On September 21, 2025, his body was brought back to Guwahati. For two days, he was kept at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, where millions of fans came to pay their final respects. On September 23, 2025, his last rites were performed at Kamarkuchi in Sonapur with full state honors. The attendance at his final journey set a remarkable record, Zubeen’s funeral journey ranked fourth in the world.

A high-level investigation panel formed under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1952 was initially set up as a single-member body under Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Guwahati High Court. It was later expanded to include legal and public trial representatives. As of the latest available information, this case continues in the judicial process.

Conclusion

The sudden departure of Zubeen Garg created a void in Northeast India that cannot be filled. As the national voice of Assam, Zubeen was more than a musician, he was a living emotion, a unifier of communities, a fearless cultural warrior who gave the Assamese identity a permanent, renewed shape. His music ran through over 40 languages. His films revived Assamese cinema. His activism touched lives across every district of the state. His generosity asked nothing in return. And his courage to speak truth, whether through a song, a film, or a public platform, never wavered. The Assam government’s education department has since integrated his musical journey into the school curriculum, ensuring that even as years pass, the cultural revolution that Zubeen started in 1993 continues to reach new generations. His dream project was released after his death and broke every box office record Assam had ever seen. His museum in Guwahati stands open.

It is now our responsibility to preserve his extraordinary legacy, carry forward the values and ideals he stood for, and keep alive the spirit of courage, unity, and love for Assam that Zubeen Garg inspired in millions.

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