Explore the legendary biography of Zubeen Garg, the iconic voice of Assam. Discover his powerful journey as a singer, actor, and cultural hero who recorded 38,000+ songs and inspired millions.
Table of Contents
Zubeen Garg: Brief Biography
Introcuction
Zubeen Garg was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya. His real name was Zubeen Borthakur. His father, Mohini Mohon Borthakur, was a magistrate and also a poet who wrote under the name ‘Kapil Thakur’. His mother, Ily Borthakur, was a singer.
Zubeen had two sisters. His elder sister, Jonkie, was a singer and actress, but she died in a car accident in 2002. He made an album called ‘Xixhu’ in her memory. His younger sister, Palme, became a professor of geography.
He took the name ‘Garg’ from his Brahmin gotra instead of using his family surname Borthakur. This made him different and unique.
Education
Zubeen studied in many schools because his father was often transferred to different places. He did his matriculation at Tamulpur Higher Secondary School. Later, he studied science at J.B. College and Karimganj College. He also joined B. Borooah College in Guwahati for a science degree, but he left his studies to focus on music.
Beginning of Music
Zubeen started singing when he was only three years old. His first teacher was his mother. Later, he learned tabla for 11 years from Pandit Robin Banerjee. He also learned Assamese folk music from Guru Ramani Rai. As a young boy, he wrote and composed songs.
Start of Career in Assam
In 1992, Zubeen won a gold medal in a youth festival for singing. The same year, he released his first Assamese album ‘Anamika’. After this, he gave many other hit albums like ‘Xopunor Xur’, ‘Junaki Mon’, ‘Maya’, and ‘Asha’. His first Bihu album ‘Ujan Piriti’ also became very popular.
Career in Bollywood
In 1995, Zubeen went to Mumbai to try in Bollywood. He sang in many Hindi albums and movies. He sang for films like Dil Se, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Fiza, and Kaante.
His biggest success came in 2006 with the song ‘Ya Ali’ from the film Gangster. The song became a superhit in India and abroad. For this, he won the Global Indian Film Award.
Work in Bengali Music
Zubeen also became very popular in Bengali films. He sang in movies like Mon, Shudhu Tumi, Premi, and Mon Mane Na. Many of his Bengali songs were loved by fans.
Acting and Filmmaking
Apart from singing, Zubeen also acted in Assamese films like Prem Aru Prem, Mon Jaai, Gaane Ki Aane, Mission China, Kanchanjangha, and Rajneeti. Some films were also directed by him. In his movie Kanchanjangha, he showed the problem of corruption in society.
Live Performances
Zubeen was a very popular stage performer. He sang at many Bihu functions, cultural shows, and international events. He even performed in Trinidad and Tobago, becoming the first Assamese singer to do so.
Social Work and Activism
Zubeen was not only a singer but also a kind social worker. He started the ‘Kalaguru Artiste Foundation’ to help poor people. He donated clothes and medicines during Assam floods. He also offered his house in Guwahati to be used as a COVID care centre in 2021.
He loved football and played matches to collect funds for flood victims. He also took part in the anti-CAA movement in Assam, standing with the people.
Personal Life
On 4 February 2002, Zubeen married Garima Saikia, a fashion designer from Golaghat. He often said that he did not follow caste or religion.
Death
On 19 September 2025, Zubeen Garg died in Singapore at the age of 52. He drowned while swimming in the sea without a life jacket. He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
On 23 September 2025, he was cremated in Guwahati with full state honours and a 21-gun salute. Thousands of people came to pay tribute. His ashes were later immersed in Jorhat.
Tributes
After his death, the whole of Assam and India mourned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid their respects. Many famous musicians like A. R. Rahman, Papon, Pritam, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sunidhi Chauhan also expressed their grief.
Fans across Assam lit lamps, played his songs, and remembered him. As he had once wished, his famous song ‘Mayabini Raatir Bukut’ was played during his funeral and in many public gatherings.
Legacy
Zubeen Garg (জুবিন গাৰ্গ) recorded more than 38,000 songs in 40 different languages. He played 12 musical instruments and gave music to every generation. For the people of Assam, he was not just a singer but a cultural icon.
A 20-foot statue was built in Digboi in his honour, and a bamboo bridge in Tengapani was named after him. His voice and his songs will continue to live forever in the hearts of his fans. 0 0 0
You May Like: Zubeen Garg: Comprehensive Biography
Zubeen Garg Timeline
| Year | Event / Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Born on 18 November in Tura, Meghalaya, India |
| 1992 | Released first Assamese music album Anamika |
| 1995 | Started playback singing in Assamese films |
| Late 1990s | Gained popularity in Assam with many hit songs and albums |
| 2000 | Entered Bollywood as a playback singer |
| 2002 | Married Garima Saikia, a fashion designer from Golaghat |
| 2002 | Elder sister Jonkie Borthakur, a singer, passed away |
| 2006 | Achieved nationwide fame with Ya Ali (film Gangster) |
| 2010 | Acted in Assamese film Mon Jaai |
| 2013 | Directed Assamese film Gaane Ki Aane |
| 2017 | Directed and acted in Mission China |
| 2019 | Acted in Kanchanjangha; active in anti-CAA protest |
| 2020 | Donated house for COVID-19 care centre; supported flood victims |
| 2021–2024 | Continued singing, composing, and performing in concerts worldwide |
| 2025 | Passed away on 19 September in Singapore (drowning accident) |
| 2025 | Cremated with full state honours in Guwahati on 23 September; tributes across Assam and India |
