Assamese Community in Pune Holds Emotional Tribute for Singer Zubeen Garg
Shivajinagar, 21st September 2025: The Assamese community in Pune came together on Sunday to pay homage to celebrated Indian singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away in Singapore on Friday at the age of 52 following a drowning incident.
The memorial was held near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Garden on Jangali Maharaj Road, where more than 250 people gathered to remember the legendary musician.
Organisers said Pune is home to nearly 5,000 Assamese students and professionals, many of whom consider Garg not just a singer but a cultural identity. “For us, Zubeen da was not only a musician but an emotion. His songs kept us connected to home even when we were thousands of kilometres away,” said Anupam Das, a member of the Assamese Association of Pune.
At the tribute, participants lit candles, sang Garg’s popular songs, and offered floral tributes in a Shradhanjali Anusthan. Passersby also joined, many recalling how his voice had touched their lives. “I didn’t know him personally, but his music was a companion during my college days,” said Priyanka Sharma, a Pune resident who stopped to join the gathering.
In a symbolic gesture, members of the community cleaned the area after the event, reflecting the values of respect and humility they associate with the late artist.
The untimely demise of a music icon
Zubeen Garg, born on November 18, 1972, in Meghalaya, enjoyed a career spanning three decades. Known for his versatility, he sang in over 40 languages and recorded more than 38,000 songs. He gained nationwide recognition with the hit track Ya Ali from the 2006 Bollywood film Gangster.
Apart from singing, Garg was also a lyricist, composer, actor, and filmmaker. He was admired across the Northeast for his philanthropic work and his role in shaping modern Assamese music.
Garg’s death came after a drowning mishap on a yacht in Singapore. Despite being rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care, doctors were unable to save him. “India has lost one of its most soulful voices. His contribution to Assamese and Indian music will be remembered for generations,” said musician and friend Papon in a condolence message shared on social media.
As the Assamese community in Pune mourned with songs and silence, the gathering highlighted how Garg’s music transcended borders, carrying the essence of Assam to cities across India and beyond.
