Shaan releases tribute song for Zubeen Garg on first death anniversary
Synopsis
On the first anniversary of Zubeen Garg's death, singer Shaan has released a new tribute song — a deeply personal gesture from a collaborator and close friend. The release revives the story of one of India's most beloved regional-to-national crossover voices, lost suddenly in Singapore at 52.
Key Takeaways
Shaan released a tribute song for Zubeen Garg on 19 September 2026 , marking the first anniversary of Garg's death.
The song features Shaan on vocals and Mahalaxmi Iyer on female vocals, accompanied by a video of Garg's visuals.
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September 2025 in Singapore , aged 52 , after becoming unresponsive while swimming off Lazarus Island .
A Singapore investigation established he had re-entered the water from a yacht without a life jacket; early reports of a scuba-diving accident were later corrected.
Garg rose to national fame with 'Ya Ali' from the 2006 Hindi film Gangster: A Love Story , following a career that began with the Assamese album Anamika in 1992 .
Singer Shaan has released a new song as a musical tribute to his late friend and Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg, marking exactly one year since Garg's passing on 19 September 2025. The tribute features Shaan on vocals alongside Mahalaxmi Iyer, and is accompanied by a video carrying visuals of the beloved artist.
The Tribute and What Shaan Said
Sharing the song on his social media account, Shaan captioned the post: 'Long Live #Zubeen Woh Jo sabka apna hai .. Hamesha rahega .. Banke Apna!!' The gesture underscores the deep bond the two musicians shared — both as close friends and as creative collaborators. Among their joint works was the Assamese song 'Mon Ghanot', recorded alongside other singers.
How Zubeen Garg Died
Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on 19 September 2025, aged 52. He had travelled to Singapore in connection with the North East India Festival and was scheduled to perform there on 20 September. He became unresponsive while swimming back towards a yacht in waters off Lazarus Island. While early reports described the incident as a scuba-diving accident, a subsequent Singapore investigation established that Garg had been swimming from the yacht, had removed his life jacket, and re-entered the water without it. He was rescued and taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he passed away.
A Career That Spanned Three Decades
Zubeen Garg was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya. He launched his professional music career with the Assamese album Anamika in 1992, and over more than three decades established himself as a singer, composer, songwriter, music director, actor, and filmmaker recording in numerous Indian languages.
Although already a celebrated name in Assam and the Northeast, he gained nationwide recognition with 'Ya Ali' from the 2006 Hindi film Gangster: A Love Story — one of his most widely recalled recordings. He also lent his voice to 'Dilruba' from Namastey London and 'Jag Lal Lal Lal' from Big Brother, among many others.
Legacy and Remembrance
Garg's death at 52 was mourned across the country, particularly in Assam and the Northeast, where he remains a cultural icon. Shaan's tribute song on the first death anniversary is among the most prominent public commemorations of his legacy, reflecting how deeply Garg's work resonated beyond regional boundaries. More tributes from the music fraternity are expected as the anniversary is observed across the Northeast.
Point of View
As Garg did. His death at 52, still surrounded by questions about the circumstances that led to it, was a loss that the music industry absorbed quietly. A year on, the absence of a sustained institutional tribute — from streaming platforms, film bodies, or the government's cultural agencies — points to a persistent blind spot around Northeast artists in India's cultural mainstream. Shaan's personal tribute partially fills that gap, but also highlights how much of Garg's legacy rests on informal memory rather than formal recognition.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shaan release a new song on 19 September 2026?
Shaan released the tribute song to mark the first death anniversary of his close friend and Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg, who passed away on 19 September 2025 in Singapore. The song features Shaan alongside Mahalaxmi Iyer and is accompanied by a video of Garg's visuals.
How did Zubeen Garg die?
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September 2025 in Singapore after becoming unresponsive while swimming from a yacht in waters off Lazarus Island. A subsequent Singapore investigation found he had removed his life jacket and re-entered the water without it; he was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he passed away aged 52.
What is Zubeen Garg best known for?
Zubeen Garg is best known nationally for 'Ya Ali' from the 2006 Hindi film Gangster: A Love Story. He was already a major name in Assam and the Northeast, and over three decades recorded as a singer, composer, music director, actor, and filmmaker across numerous Indian languages.
Did Shaan and Zubeen Garg work together musically?
Yes, Shaan and Zubeen Garg collaborated on the Assamese song 'Mon Ghanot', recorded with other singers, among other projects. The two were also close personal friends.
When and where was Zubeen Garg born?
Zubeen Garg was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya. He began his professional music career with the Assamese album Anamika in 1992.
