Zubeen Garg death: Lesser-known facts about late singer

Early life and name
Born in Assam as Jibon Borthakur, Zubeen adopted “Garg” later and grew into the stage identity millions came to know. The name change mirrored a larger journey—from small-town prodigy to pan-Indian icon.

A teen debut and the Mumbai leap
Zubeen released his first album at 19, years before his national breakthrough. He later moved to Mumbai to chase larger horizons, bringing the textures of the North-East to mainstream studios and, eventually, to Bollywood’s biggest platforms.

A voice of many tongues
Zubeen is said to have crooned over 30,000 songs across multiple languages and dialects—a staggering tally that reflects his range, work ethic and curiosity. Few singers move so fluidly between folk, film, pop and devotional; fewer still do it in as many tongues.

“Luit Kontho”: voice of the Brahmaputra
In Assam he was fondly called “Luit Kontho”—the voice of the Brahmaputra—a nod to both his unmistakable timbre and his role as a torchbearer for the region’s music and culture.

The big Bollywood break
His move paid off with a major Bollywood breakthrough, the kind that turns a gifted regional star into a household name. From there, he straddled film industries with ease, lending his voice to chart-toppers while keeping one foot firmly in Assamese music.

Films and national recognition
Beyond the recording booth, Zubeen built a credible screen career—acting in films and earning national honours, including a National Award. It was proof that his instincts as a performer travelled well beyond the microphone.

The multi-hyphenate: Mission China
Zubeen wasn’t content to sing for other people’s visions. In 2017 he wrote, directed, produced and starred in the Assamese blockbuster Mission China, proving himself a rare multi-hyphenate who could carry a film from page to screen—and soundtrack.

Public stands and civic voice
He used his platform to speak up on public issues, appearing visibly during anti-CAA demonstrations in Assam. Whether you agreed with him or not, the courage to show up was part of what made him larger than a discography.

Partnership in life and art
Zubeen married Garima Saikia Garg in 2002. A designer-producer, Garima collaborated on projects including Mission China, making their partnership as much creative as personal.