Zubeen Garg Dies; Film Releases, Probe Ongoing

Zubeen Garg, a beloved Assamese singer, died on Sept. 19 in Singapore while swimming; his death remains under investigation by Assam CID’s special investigation team and has prompted calls for answers and justice, including criticism from Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi about the state government's transparency. A handwritten note Garg wrote on Sept. 15 — "Wait, wait a little — my new film is coming. Do come and watch it. Love, Zubeen Da" — went viral after his death. His final film, Roi Roi Binale, a musical he wrote and scored in which he plays a blind musician, was released across Assam at the end of October with sold‑out shows and added screenings as fans promoted it. His wife, Garima, has publicly demanded full answers about his death and later performed the ritual immersion of his ashes in the Brahmaputra as hundreds mourned. Archivists and fans, led by figures such as Vishal Kalita, are racing to digitize Garg’s roughly 38,000 recordings to preserve his catalogue and press for clear ownership and fair royalties for his family amid complex copyright issues. Commentators and tributes emphasize Garg’s wide cultural influence across languages and generations and why his death has prompted sustained public grief and efforts to keep his work alive.