The sudden death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has left a void that can never be filled. Best remembered for lending his powerful voice to Ya Ali from Gangster (2006), Zubeen died in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore on September 19, 2025. He was set to perform at the North East Festival the following day, but fate had other plans.
While millions mourn the loss of a music icon, few know the emotional journey of his personal life, especially his love story with wife, Garima Saikia Garg. Their relationship was nothing short of a film script—filled with letters, opposition, heartbreak, reconciliation, and finally, enduring companionship.
From Zubeen Borthakur To Zubeen Garg
Born as Zubeen Borthakur, the singer chose “Garg” from his gotra, and the name stayed with him throughout his career. Inspired by music maestro Zubin Mehta, Zubeen carved out his own identity in India’s music industry, excelling not just as a playback singer but also as a composer and actor. His father, Kapil Thakur, wrote poems, and Zubeen inherited that creative fire. Yet beyond the limelight, his relationships in youth were fleeting, with Zubeen himself admitting that he had multiple girlfriends during his school and college days. Characters like Junmoni and Runjun from his early romances even inspired creative work, such as the name “Junmoni Rumjun.”
The Letter That Changed Everything
Destiny entered his life when Garima Saikia, a young woman from Golaghat, Assam, reached out to him through a letter. She had been deeply moved by his albums Anamika and Maya while she was studying fashion design in Mumbai. Feeling homesick, Garima poured her admiration and emotions into a note that reached the singer.
To her surprise, Zubeen replied. That single exchange marked the beginning of a bond that would eventually grow into a lifelong partnership. Their correspondence and connection soon blossomed into love, showing how something as simple as a letter could shape the course of two lives.
Love Against All Odds
As their relationship deepened, Zubeen proposed to Garima. But like many love stories, theirs too faced hurdles. Garima’s family, particularly her father, disapproved of the relationship. For a while, the pressure and Zubeen’s unpredictable nature drove a wedge between them. Garima reportedly found it difficult to understand his “restless behaviour,” and at one point, she chose to walk away.
Zubeen himself struggled during this time. Fame brought him recognition, especially after Ya Ali turned him into a household name across India. But behind the curtains, he was battling depression, with personal struggles sometimes spilling into his music. Some of his songs from that period were said to reflect the pain of separation from Garima.
Reunion And Marriage
Love, however, has its own timing. After the rough patch, Zubeen and Garima found their way back to each other. Their story culminated in marriage on February 4, 2002, well before Zubeen’s Bollywood breakthrough. From then on, Garima stood by him, not only as a partner but also as a steadying force in his often turbulent world.
Garima went on to establish herself as a professional fashion designer, while also supporting Zubeen in his artistic ventures. Together, they became one of Assam’s most admired couples—a singer who was the voice of millions, and a wife who had once reached out to him in a moment of vulnerability.
A Love Story To Remember
Zubeen’s career was marked by versatility, but his personal life was anchored by a love story that began with ink and paper. The fact that Garima chose to write to him, and that he chose to reply, changed everything. Despite opposition, heartbreak, and distance, they proved that resilience can carry love through storms.
Today, as fans mourn the man behind Ya Ali, his songs, and his legacy, many will also remember him as a husband who once found his greatest love through a letter. In the end, Zubeen Garg’s journey was not just about music, but also about the timeless story of love, loss, and reunion that defined his life with Garima.
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