Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 22: The sudden demise of Assam’s beloved singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg in a scuba diving accident in Singapore has sent shockwaves across the music industry and among fans. Renowned music composer Anu Malik, who collaborated with Zubeen on projects like Mission Istanbul (2008) and Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003), expressed his grief and recalled memories of the singer.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Anu Malik said, “He was such a gentle, loving soul. Ab isse zyaada koi kisi ke baare mein kya bol sakta hai? I made him sing in Fiza, and we got along like a house on fire. He was very emotional about his sister whom he had lost in an accident. He sang in Assamese, Bengali, Manipuri, Boro, Marathi, and even Malayalam. His live-in concerts were deadly. Yeh khabar sunke mann khatta ho gaya hai.”

The composer also revealed that Zubeen had once confided in him about his health issues. “He used to tell me he had blackouts suddenly. I advised him to go and get himself checked. Then we lost track over the years. Usne phone bhi nahi kiya, chala gaya. The call of the hills, of his own Assam, was very strong,” Anu Malik added.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Zubeen passed away while swimming in the sea without a life jacket.

Anu Malik fondly remembered Zubeen’s dedication to his roots and social work: “He was very proud of my music in Border. I kept telling him to stay in Mumbai for more work, but he never wanted to leave Assam. One day he told me, ‘Anu sir, I don’t want to come back to Mumbai. Aap bula loge toh aa jaaunga, aur gaana gaate hi nikal jaaunga vaapis Assam because I am more interested in social work.’ He used to help people affected by floods and was running a charity. I was very close to him; he would always talk about the work he undertook.”

Zubeen Garg’s untimely death marks a huge loss to the music fraternity, leaving behind a legacy of diverse songs, humanitarian efforts, and unforgettable live performances.