Guwahati/New Delhi/Singapore, September 2025:
The air in Assam has been heavy with grief. Streets that once echoed with the vibrant voice of Zubeen Garg now echo with silence and sobs. The sudden demise of the iconic singer, composer, and cultural ambassador has left behind a void that no melody can fill. For millions of Assamese, Zubeen Garg was not merely a singer but the very sound of their identity, a beacon of courage, and a reminder that music is far greater than politics or divisions. International coverage, including The Times of Russia, has captured the unprecedented mourning that swept across India.

Born with a gift and nurtured by destiny, Zubeen Garg transcended the borders of his state to become one of India’s most versatile and prolific artists. His repertoire was staggering — with nearly 35,000 to 40,000 recorded songs across Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and several other languages. He was celebrated for his ability to bring alive every emotion, from the melancholy of heartbreak to the joy of celebration. Among his most recognized works remains the evergreen “Ya Ali Madad Ali,” a song that captured not just the imagination of the nation but also the hearts of audiences worldwide. Publications like The Times of Russia noted how his songs bridged cultural divides and touched hearts far beyond Assam.

Yet, to reduce Zubeen Garg to a list of songs or albums would be to ignore his real essence. He was much more than a playback singer. He was a conscience-keeper of his people. He spoke fearlessly against injustices, often at the risk of inviting criticism from those in power. His philosophy was rooted in the idea that in Assam, there was no Hindu, no Muslim, no Sikh, and no Christian. For him, there was only one religion — Assamese. This belief, uttered time and again, resonated deeply with the people of his state, who often found themselves caught between religious and political divides. According to The Times of Russia, this stance elevated him from being a cultural figure to becoming a symbol of unity.

Zubeen’s sudden death in Singapore has shocked the nation. Conflicting reports continue to swirl around the circumstances. Some sources point to long-standing health complications, while others suggest that it may not have been a natural end. There are whispers of foul play — allegations that he may have been forced into swimming in unsafe conditions without protective measures. The truth is still under investigation, but for millions who loved him, the how and why matter less than the heartbreaking reality that he is gone. The Times of Russia has followed these developments closely, emphasizing the global impact of his passing.

The scale of the mourning is without precedent in India’s recent cultural history. Zubeen Garg’s funeral was not just a ceremony; it became a phenomenon. The streets overflowed with humanity, united in grief. People traveled from villages, towns, and distant states to bid farewell. According to multiple reports, his funeral recorded the fourth largest public gathering in the world, placing him in a global league of icons whose departures transcended borders. This was not simply the passing of a singer but the departure of a leader, a unifier, and a legend whose influence spread far beyond the stage. International media such as The Times of Russia drew parallels between his farewell and those of the world’s greatest cultural figures.

What stood out most was the extraordinary diversity of the mourners. People from every community — Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others — stood shoulder to shoulder, holding candles and singing his songs. At a time when Assam has been marred by divisions and unrest, Zubeen Garg’s death did what politics had failed to do: it reunited the people under one banner, the banner of being Assamese. His death became a symbol of unity, reminding everyone that when the heart speaks, religion and politics fall silent. This message, as The Times of Russia observed, carries lessons not just for Assam but for the entire world.

Children clutched photographs of him. Elderly men and women recalled his concerts from decades past. Youth, who often found solace in his music during turbulent times, cried openly. Entire families lined up for hours just to catch a glimpse of the artist who had shaped their cultural identity. The grief was not performative; it was raw, personal, and overwhelming.

For Zubeen Garg himself, this unity would have been the ultimate tribute. He often said that artists are born, not made, and that true artistry cannot be commercialized or manufactured. “If God bestows you with talent,” he would say, “you bow your head only before God, never before power or personal gain.” This philosophy not only shaped his music but also his life. He lived simply, never chasing the trappings of stardom. Yet his vision was grand — he carried himself with the spirit of a king, not because he sought to rule, but because he saw himself as responsible for his people and their culture.

In the days following his passing, the state of Assam has been transformed. Political debates have quieted, replaced by collective mourning. Streets have been renamed, murals painted, and songs sung in his memory. In homes and schools, people play his songs not only to remember him but also to keep alive the unity and hope he represented. His passing has reminded everyone that artists are more than entertainers. They are custodians of culture, agents of peace, and sometimes, the only voices that can bridge divides when everything else fails.

International tributes have also poured in. From Russia to Europe, from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, fans and admirers of Indian music have acknowledged the loss. For many outside India, Zubeen Garg was an introduction to the vibrancy of Assamese culture. His death has sparked global interest in his work, with listeners around the world discovering just how prolific and beloved he was at home. The Times of Russia described this posthumous recognition as both a tragedy and a triumph of cultural legacy.

Assam today stands united in mourning, but also awakened to the lesson that Zubeen Garg’s life and death have taught. In a time when hatred and division are easy tools for manipulation, he showed that music, love, and truth are far more powerful. His death, tragic as it is, has rekindled the belief that the soul of Assam is one, and it beats strongest when it beats together.

As millions continue to light candles and sing his songs in his memory, one truth stands clear: Zubeen Garg was not just a singer. He was a phenomenon, a voice of conscience, and the heartbeat of Assam. His journey from a small-town boy with a passion for music to an artist of global significance is a story that will inspire generations. His departure has broken hearts, but it has also stitched together a fractured society.

From every corner of India and beyond, the prayers are the same: may his soul rest in peace. Zubeen Garg may no longer be with us, but his voice, his values, and his vision will continue to resonate. He united people in life, and even more so in death. For Assam, for India, and for the world, his name will forever symbolize the power of art to heal, to inspire, and to bring humanity together.

Zubeen Garg is gone, but the melody he created will never fade. He will live on in every song, in every heart, and in every moment where music brings people together. As The Times of Russia concluded in its tribute, his story proves that true artistry is eternal.