Zubeen Garg – Assam’s legendary Singer and Philanthropist
by Muhammad Talha Amin Baruah
Back in 2023, Zubeen Garg came to USTM to shoot for a music video. At that time, I was a student in USTM. My friend spotted him and as a hardcore Zubeen Garg fan, he asked me to come to meet Zubeen. At first I hesitated to go since celebrities are often very rude, but my friend convinced me to go. We met Zubeen da, and to my surprise, he turned out to be a very friendly man. My friend told him that I write articles on Pop-culture (which I used to do before starting to write history). After hearing that, Zubeen jokingly told me “deh mur uporot kiba eta likhibi!!” (Write something on me then!) and one thing I remember was a handshake, which was a very honourable thing for me. So today I am writing this article to honour the legend whom we lost on 19th September 2025.
No wonder that Zubeen Garg was one of the most greatest in his field, but one thing that is overseen by most people is that he was not just a legendary singer, but also a legendary philanthropist. But first let us look at his remarkable career as an artist.
Zubeen Garg was born on 18th of November 1972 in Meghalaya and raised in Assam, Zubeen showed early musical talent and confidence after winning a gold medal for western solo singing in 1992. That same year, he released his debut Assamese album ‘Anamika’, which became a huge hit.
Before moving to Mumbai in 1995, he released several popular Assamese and Bihu albums like ‘Xapunor Xur’ and ‘Ujan Piriti’. In Bollywood, Zubeen debuted with the Indipop album ‘Chandni Raat’ and contributed to many films including ‘Dil Se’, ‘Fiza’, and ‘Kaante’. His biggest breakthrough came in 2006 with the hit song ‘Ya Ali’ from the movie Gangster, which is my personal favorite song by him. This song earned him the Best Playback Singer award at the Global Indian Film Awards.
Zubeen’s voice graced over 32,000 songs in nearly 40 languages, from Assamese and Hindi to Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, and Nepali. Besides playback singing, he composed music and acted in Assamese films like ‘Tumi Mor Mathu Mor’. Known for blending folk, pop, and classical music, he also performed internationally, showcasing Assamese culture worldwide. His career touched millions and left an enduring legacy as one of India’s most prolific and beloved singers.
Zubeen Garg was not just a musical legend but also a deeply committed philanthropist. Through his charitable trust, the Kalaguru artiste Foundation, he raised funds to support victims of Assam’s frequent floods, providing clothes, medicines, and essential aid. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zubeen opened his own Guwahati home as a COVID care center, helping ease the critical shortage of hospital beds. He was also known for personally helping struggling people like rickshaw wallahs and daily wage workers, always ready to lend a hand to those in need. Zubeen’s generosity extended to helping differently-abled artists and vulnerable children, making him a beloved figure in Assam. His life was a beautiful blend of art and social service, making his legacy truly immortal.
It was reported to me from a trusted source that once Zubeen da was passing by an ice-cream shop when he spotted a kid crying. He learnt that the kid wanted an ice-cream but his father didn’t have money to buy it to him. Zubeen immediately handed a note of ₹500 to the father and told him to buy Ice-cream for the kid. Such was the personality of the legend.
Zubeen Garg was widely known for his secular outlook and commitment to unity in Assam’s society. He openly rejected religious and caste divisions, often calling himself non-religious and casteless. Zubeen never engaged in Hindu-Muslim conflicts or used his platform for communal politics. Instead, he emphasized humanism and cultural harmony through his music and public statements. This is why people from different religions, different languages and different diversities shed tears on his sudden demise. Leave humans, even a cow was spotted shedding tears in front of a photo of Zubeen Garg.
The sudden passing of Zubeen Garg marks a profound loss for the music world and the people of Assam. As a distinguished artist, his soulful voice and versatile talent bridged cultural divides and inspired millions. Beyond his artistic contributions, Zubeen da was a unifying figure who championed harmony and social causes. His legacy will continue to resonate deeply within the community and beyond.
