The Soul Behind
the Voice
Born on November 18, 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya, Zubeen Garg was far more than a singer. He was the living, breathing heartbeat of Assamese culture — a singer, lyricist, music director, actor, and director who devoted his entire life to music and to the identity of his homeland. He left this world on September 19, 2025, but his voice lives on forever.
His mastery stretched across over 40,000 recorded songs spanning Assamese folk, modern pop, devotional, Bihu, Bollywood playback, and classical — a feat unmatched by any artist from the Northeast of India. He also sang in over 40 languages and dialects. No other voice has touched as many souls across as many genres.
His hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Ya Ali" from Gangster (2006) earned him the Global Indian Film Award (GIFA) for Best Male Playback Singer, making Assam's pride resound across India. In 2009, he received the 55th National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction for "Echoes of Silence" — the Government of India's highest cinematic honour.
Through timeless classics like Mayabini, Pakhi, Monor Nirola, O' Mur Apun Jan, and Ei Mon Jaane Na, Zubeen has woven himself permanently into the fabric of Assamese life. His songs are sung at weddings, at Bihu festivals, at funerals, and at every milestone in between.
