Guwahati, Sep 19: Hugely popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg and heart-throb of Assam’s entire population has passed away. The heart-wrenching news has left the state in shock. The 53-year-old singer died Singapore following a scuba diving accident. He was rescued from the sea by Singapore police and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
The singer who has spurred and promoted generations of younger musicians in the region, had travelled to Singapore to participate in the North East Festival, where he was scheduled to perform on Saturday.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Zubeen Garg’s passing. While scuba diving, he experienced breathing difficulties and was immediately given CPR before being rushed to Singapore General Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was declared dead in the ICU around 2.30 pm IST,” a statement issued by organisers of the North East Festival said.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while condoling the death of the singer, has cancelled all his Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election related programmes today. The CM has termed the death a colossal loss to the state and its people.
He was born at Tura in Meghalaya on November 18, 1972. The singer who hails from and was educated Jorhat in Assam stormed into the music arena in the state in 1992 with his album “Anamika” and since then has sung over 50000 songs in over 40 languages, mainly in Assamese.
He was not only singer, lyricist, music composer, filmmaker and actor but also a social leader with great command as well as an outstanding philanthropist.
Entire music and film fraternity in Assam and rest of the region have been gripped in deep sense grief. Assam chief minister has called for an emergency meeting of the state Cabinet at 7 pm today.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that mortal remains of the singer would be brought to the state from Singapore tomorrow. The CM will address the media here at 8 pm in this regards.
A large number of people have flocked to Kahilipara residence in Guwahati city on hearing the tragic news while a large number of artistes based in Guwahati have spontaneously gathered under the flyover at Ganeshguri here to mourn the singer’s death.
