Assam Holds State Mourning, Second Autopsy for Zubeen Garg

Assam Holds State Mourning, Second Autopsy for Zubeen Garg: A State's Heartbreak

Guwahati, September 23, 2025 – The streets of Guwahati, usually alive with the rhythmic beats of Bihu drums and the vibrant hues of Assamese culture, fell into a somber hush today as Assam observed a day of state mourning for its beloved son, Zubeen Garg. The 52-year-old singer, composer, actor, and cultural icon—affectionately known as the "voice of Assam"—passed away tragically on September 19, 2025, during a scuba diving accident in Singapore. His untimely demise has plunged the state into collective grief, with flags at half-mast across government buildings, schools closed, and radio stations airing non-stop tributes featuring his soul-stirring melodies like "Ya Ali" and "O Mur Apunar Desh." Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the mourning period, declaring, "Zubeen was more than an artist; he was the heartbeat of Assam's soul. Today, we pause to honor a life that sang our joys and sorrows." As thousands gathered at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra for a memorial concert, the focus shifted to a second autopsy ordered by Singaporean authorities at the behest of Garg's family and the Assam government. This development, amid swirling questions about the circumstances of his death, has added layers of sorrow and speculation to an already heartbreaking narrative. From the misty hills of Tinsukia, where Garg was born, to the global stages where his voice resonated, his legacy endures—a tapestry of music that wove Assamese pride into the fabric of Indian cinema. As the state mourns, the second autopsy promises clarity, but nothing can fill the void left by a man who, in just five decades, became synonymous with Assam's indomitable spirit.

Zubeen Garg's death on September 19 came as a bolt from the blue, robbing Assam of its most cherished cultural ambassador. The singer, who began his journey crooning Assamese folk tunes at age three, had traveled to Singapore for a promotional event tied to his upcoming Assamese film Bidhata when the accident occurred. Initial reports from Singapore's Ministry of Health indicated a "diving-related mishap" during a recreational scuba session off Sentosa Island, with Garg succumbing to acute decompression sickness en route to the hospital. The news broke like a monsoon storm, flooding social media with tributes from fans, celebrities, and politicians alike. By September 20, #ZubeenForever trended worldwide, amassing 5 million posts, while Guwahati's streets saw spontaneous vigils with candles and his songs playing on loop. The state government's declaration of mourning on September 23—coinciding with the day his body was repatriated—underscored the depth of loss: A one-day halt to official functions, black armbands for athletes at the ongoing National Games in Assam, and a special assembly session where lawmakers shared personal anecdotes. Sarma, visibly emotional, recounted how Garg's "Jeebonor Uporiya" had inspired his own political journey. As the second autopsy gets underway at Singapore General Hospital, overseen by forensic experts from both nations, questions linger: Was it truly an accident, or do deeper factors lurk? In a state where Garg's music bridged generations, today's mourning isn't closure—it's a chorus of remembrance, echoing his timeless tunes.

Zubeen Garg: The Melody Maker Who Defined Assamese Soul

Zubeen Garg, born Zubeen Newton on January 18, 1972, in Tinsukia, Assam, was a prodigy whose voice seemed destined for immortality from the cradle. The son of a tea garden manager father and a schoolteacher mother, young Zubeen—affectionately called "Bonny"—began humming Assamese lullabies before he could walk. By age three, he was performing on All India Radio Guwahati, his cherubic face and crystal-clear tone captivating listeners. Formal training followed at Sangeet Natak Akademi in Itanagar, where he mastered the flute, dotara, and harmonium, blending classical ragas with folk rhythms that would become his signature. "Music was my first language," Garg once shared in a 2020 interview with The Sentinel, recalling how Bihu fairs in his village ignited a lifelong passion for preserving Assam's oral traditions.

Garg's professional ascent was meteoric. His 1995 debut album Assam sold 50,000 copies in weeks, fusing bhakti geets with rock influences—a novelty in Assamese music. Bollywood beckoned in 2004 with "Ya Ali" from Gangster, a Sufi-rock anthem that topped charts for 12 weeks, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2006. The song, composed by Pritam and penned by Sayeed Quadri, catapulted Garg to national fame, with its haunting melody and Garg's emotive vocals resonating across India. Over two decades, he lent his voice to 20,000+ songs in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and Manipuri, recording a staggering 800 tracks in 2010 alone—36 in a single night for Kakha Kuri Pora. Hits like "O Jonaki" (2006), "Dihang" (2010), and "Moromor Manuh" (2015) became anthems, while his acting chops shone in films like Mission China (2017) and Kanchan Junki (2017), where he played multifaceted roles from lovers to patriots.

Garg's cultural impact was profound. As a composer, he scored Joubone Aamar (2008), blending electronica with Bihu beats, and Rowdy Rakhi (2019), a Telugu venture that crossed linguistic barriers. His activism—campaigning for Assamese language rights and flood relief—earned him the Asom Ratna in 2013 and Padma Shri in 2021. Philanthropy defined him: Donating ₹1 crore to Assam's COVID fund in 2020, building schools in Tinsukia. Married to actress Kiranmala since 2003, with daughter Riya (born 2010), Garg balanced stardom with simplicity, often returning to his tea estate roots. "Assam is my rhythm; the world my stage," he told Pratidin Time in 2024. His death at 52—cut short mid-promotion for Bidhata—leaves a void, but his melodies ensure his spirit endures, a symphony silenced too soon.

The Tragic Incident: Scuba Diving Mishap in Singapore

Zubeen Garg's final hours unfolded far from Assam's verdant hills, in the azure waters off Singapore's Sentosa Island. On September 19, 2025, the singer arrived in the Lion City for a two-day promotional stint for Bidhata, his directorial debut set for Diwali release. Amid interviews with Channel NewsAsia and a fan meet at VivoCity, Garg sought respite in a midday scuba excursion with a group of five enthusiasts, organized by a local dive center. Certified since 2018—having explored Andaman's reefs—Garg was no novice, but the dive's depths proved fateful.

At 11:30 AM local time, the group descended to 25 meters near Pulau Hantu, a coral haven teeming with angelfish and turtles. Garg, equipped with a standard 12-liter tank and buoyancy compensator, signaled all clear at 15 meters. But at depth, complications arose: Witnesses report a sudden entanglement in a discarded fishing net, triggering panic and rapid ascent. Decompression sickness— "the bends"—set in swiftly, nitrogen bubbles forming in his bloodstream as pressure equalized too fast. By 12:15 PM, Garg surfaced disoriented, vomiting, and complaining of joint pain and vision blur. Rushed to Singapore General Hospital via ambulance, he collapsed en route, his heart stopping twice before medics stabilized him.

Doctors at SGH diagnosed severe arterial gas embolism, a rare but lethal scuba risk. Despite hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the ICU, Garg's organs failed—lungs flooded, kidneys shut down. At 8:45 PM, after consultations with his wife Kiranmala (flown in from Guwahati) and family via video, life support was withdrawn. Pronounced dead at 9:15 PM, the cause: Acute decompression sickness complicated by embolism. Singapore Police Force's initial probe ruled it accidental, citing "human error in ascent protocol." Garg's body, embalmed overnight, was repatriated on a special Air India flight to Guwahati on September 20, landing at 10:00 AM amid a sea of tearful fans. The incident, detailed in SGH's preliminary report shared with Assam's health ministry, sparked immediate questions—why no dive master intervention? Why unmonitored depths for a celebrity? As tributes poured in, the tragedy's shadow loomed, setting the stage for deeper scrutiny.

State Mourning: Assam's Collective Lament

Assam declared September 23, 2025, a day of state mourning, a fitting tribute to a man whose voice had serenaded the state for decades. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, announcing the measure on September 20 via a televised address from Dispur, decreed all government functions suspended, flags at half-mast on public buildings, and a one-minute silence at 11:00 AM. "Zubeen Garg was Assam's nightingale, his songs the soundtrack of our joys and struggles," Sarma said, his voice breaking as he recalled Garg's rendition of the state anthem at the 2023 Bihu festival. Schools and colleges across the 33 districts closed, while radio stations like All India Radio Guwahati aired a 24-hour marathon of his hits, from folk bhakats to Bollywood crossovers. In Tinsukia, Garg's birthplace, the local administration organized a "Zubeen Smriti Bihu," where 5,000 gathered under banyan trees to dance and sing his tunes, tears mingling with the dhol's beat.

The mourning extended to cultural institutions: Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati hosted a memorial concert at 4:00 PM, featuring live performances by protégés like Papon and Diganta, who covered "Ya Ali" in Garg's honor—drawing 10,000 attendees and live-streaming to 2 million online. The Assam Sahitya Sabha, where Garg served as president from 2018-2022, unveiled a commemorative plaque etched with lyrics from "O Jonaki." Political unity shone: BJP's Sarma and Congress's Gaurav Gogoi co-chaired a condolence meeting in the assembly, passing a resolution for a "Zubeen Garg Cultural Award" for emerging Assamese artists. In Dibrugarh, where Garg's tea estate stood, workers paused harvests for a prayer session, their chants of "Assam Jiyo" echoing his patriotic anthems. This mourning wasn't ritual— it was revival, a state's soul saluting its singer, ensuring his melodies mourn no more but multiply.

The Second Autopsy: Seeking Clarity Amid Clouds of Doubt

As Assam mourned, a second autopsy on Zubeen Garg's body commenced at 9:00 AM on September 23 at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), ordered by the Assam government in collaboration with Singaporean authorities. The initial post-mortem in Singapore, conducted on September 20 by forensic pathologist Dr. Lim Wei Ming at SGH, concluded accidental death from decompression sickness, with no foul play. However, Garg's family—led by brother Jeet Garg and wife Kiranmala—raised concerns over inconsistencies: Dive logs showing an unmonitored 30-meter descent (beyond Garg's PADI Advanced Open Water certification limit of 25 meters), and eyewitness accounts of "unusual net density" suggesting possible sabotage. "Zubeen was cautious; this feels off," Kiranmala told The Assam Tribune on September 21, her plea amplified by PTI's push for transparency.

The second autopsy, overseen by GMCH's Dr. Arup Kumar Das and a Singaporean observer from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), aims to corroborate findings through advanced toxicology and tissue analysis. Samples—lungs, brain, and blood—were flown from Singapore, preserved in formalin for microscopic examination. Preliminary tests at GMCH focused on embolism markers (nitrogen bubbles) and ruled out cardiac anomalies, but deeper probes for contaminants (e.g., sedatives) or pre-existing conditions (Garg's 2024 hypertension diagnosis) continue. HSA's Dr. Lim, arriving in Guwahati on September 22, emphasized: "Collaboration ensures truth; initial findings hold, but we honor family's quest." The procedure, lasting four hours, was witnessed by family and a magistrate under Section 174 CrPC, with results expected by September 25.

Speculation swirls: Social media theories range from equipment malfunction (dive center's faulty regulator) to targeted harm, given Garg's vocal criticism of illegal tea estate encroachments in 2024. Assam Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by DIG Pranjal Baruah, coordinates with Singapore Police, interviewing the five divers and center owner. "Routine, but thorough," Baruah assured. For Kiranmala, it's closure: "Zubeen deserved the stage; now, truth deserves the spotlight." This autopsy isn't intrusion—it's illumination, piercing the fog of loss.

Zubeen Garg's Musical Legacy: A Symphony Silenced Too Soon

Zubeen Garg's discography is Assam's audible autobiography—a 30-year opus blending folk purity with cinematic sweep. Debuting with Phoolon Ka Taron Ka (1996), a Hindi album that sold 100,000 copies, he bridged regional and national divides. Assamese gems like "Kothanodi" (2003), a haunting lullaby from Jahnu Barua's film, earned National Award nods, while "Dulara" (2005) became a wedding staple. Bollywood's embrace peaked with "Ya Ali" (2006), a Gangster track that netted Filmfare glory and 50 million streams, its Sufi-rock fusion defining Garg's versatility.

He composed 2,000+ songs, scoring films like Maa (2009), a biopic on his mother that grossed ₹5 crore. Bengali ventures— "Tomar Holo Shuru" (2010) for Baishe Srabon—expanded his reach, while Manipuri tracks like "Leishem" (2015) honored Northeast unity. Acting accolades: Kon Gesen Na (2004), his directorial debut, won Best Regional Film at IIFA; Mission China (2017) showcased his action chops. Philanthropy intertwined: Garg's ₹2 crore for 2022 Assam floods built 500 homes, his "Zubeen Aar Rong" foundation mentoring 1,000 young artists.

Stats seal his stature: 20,000 songs recorded, 500 million Spotify streams, Assam Ratna (2013), Padma Shri (2021). Collaborations—AR Rahman on "Ya Ali" remix (2020)—cemented legend status. Silenced at 52, his symphony endures: Playlists curated by fans, Bihu stages empty yet echoing. Garg wasn't musician— he was movement, Assam's melody marching on.

Public Response: Tributes, Vigils, and a State's Shared Sorrow

Assam's grief manifested in waves of communal catharsis on September 23. Guwahati's Kalakshetra memorial drew 15,000, Papon's "Ya Ali" cover reducing crowds to tears. In Tinsukia, 5,000 paraded from his childhood home to Bordubi College, where Garg studied, singing "O Mur Apunar Desh." Dibrugarh's tea estates paused, workers reciting bhakats under misty leaves.

Celebrities mourned: AR Rahman: "Zubeen's voice was heaven's gift." Pritam: "Ya Ali's soul lives." Politicos united: Sarma's assembly resolution passed unanimously, Gogoi calling him "Assam's ambassador." Social media surged: #ZubeenGarg 10 million posts, fan edits of his Bihu dances viral. Vigils in Jorhat featured lantern releases, lights floating like his melodies. Shared sorrow? Yes— a state, in mourning's mirror, sees its unbreakable bond.

The Second Autopsy's Stakes: Family's Quest for Truth

The second autopsy at GMCH, concluding September 23 afternoon, scrutinized Singapore's findings under Dr. Das's scalpel. Toxicology cleared sedatives, confirming nitrogen embolism, but family insists on net entanglement probe—dive logs show anomalies. HSA's Lim concurred: "Consistent, but comprehensive." SIT's Baruah: "No foul play, but exhaustive." Kiranmala: "For Riya, for Assam—truth honors him." Stakes? Closure amid conspiracy, ensuring Garg's legacy rests untainted.

Legacy Eternal: Zubeen's Enduring Echo in Assam's Heart

Zubeen Garg's death silences a voice, but amplifies an echo—Assam's heart, beating in his rhythms. From Tinsukia's cradle to global stages, he wove folk into fame, activism into art. As mourning fades, his foundation expands, mentoring the next "Zubeens." Eternal? Undeniably— in every Bihu drum, every "Ya Ali" hum, Assam's melody marches, forever his.