Zubeen Garg’s timeless hits: From Ya Ali to Buku Duru Duru, how the singer redefined Indian music

Zubeen Garg’s timeless hits: From Ya Ali to Buku Duru Duru, how the singer redefined Indian music

Zubeen Garg died on 19 September 2025 in Singapore following a scuba diving accident. He was 52 year-old. Reports say he lost consciousness while diving, was rescued by Singapore police, and taken to a hospital. Despite being placed in intensive care, doctors were unable to revive him. His death came while he was in Singapore for the Northeast Festival, where he was due to perform.

His Famous Songs

Ya Ali (from Gangster) — Possibly his best-known song across India. When Ya Ali came out, it didn’t just give Bollywood a chart‐buster; it signaled that an artist deeply rooted in regional music could also make a mark nationally.
Dil Tu Hi Bataa — Another song that showcased his ability in Bollywood. He became more selective with such projects after Ya Ali so he wouldn’t be pigeonholed.

O Bondhu Re — A Bengali song that is beloved especially among Bengali audiences; shows his cross‐lingual appeal.
Buku Duru Duru — A classic Assamese hit. It’s a song that, for many people in Assam, is part of the collective memory.
(Also worth noting: songs like Hiya Diya Niya, Morom Nodir Gabharu Ghat, etc., iconic in the Assamese canon.)

What Zubeen Garg Meant to the Music Industry

Bridging Regional and Mainstream

He never abandoned his roots. He kept producing (and performing) Assamese songs even while singing for Bollywood and Bengali films. That dual presence meant that regional music got visibility and respect. People outside Assam got to hear what its music could sound like without losing its soul.

Versatility

Singer, composer, lyricist, actor — he wore many hats. On top of that he is a multi‐instrumentalist (tabla, harmonium, guitar, etc.). That gives a musician a lot more control over how songs are made; also means he could experiment.

Prolific Output

The numbers are almost unbelievable: recorded in dozens of languages, enormous number of songs over decades. That kind of volume, combined with quality in many pieces, ensures that an artist isn’t a one‐hit wonder but part of the cultural fabric.

Also Read: Who was Zubeen Garg? All about Assamese music icon who died in scuba diving accident at 52

Identity & Cultural Pride

For many in Assam, Zubeen was more than a singer. He was a voice that carried their language, their stories, their emotions to wider audiences. His music reinforced cultural identity at a time when media tends to centralize around major urban centers. The fact that he maintained popularity in Assam (and neighboring regions) while working elsewhere meant he gave hope to other regional artists that local voices matter.

Raising Standards & Inspiring Others

Because he mixed good production, emotive singing, linguistic variety, strong melodies, he set benchmarks people wanted to match. He made people in Assam believe, “We can compete.” That pushes the whole ecosystem — recording quality, songwriting, performance, promotion.

What This Really Means

Zubeen Garg wasn’t just famous; he was significant. He showed that regional artists can be national icons without giving up their roots. He provided cultural representation, musical excellence, and inspiration. His songs are not just hits; many of them are part of how people in Assam and beyond remember moments in their lives.