Zubeen Garg: A Rebel with Rhythm and The Voice That Stirred All Generations
- Published By: Dr. Anindita Talukdar
- Published On: September 26, 2025
- 6 Minutes to read
The Iconic Singer and Fearless Voice of Assam
In loving memory of Zubeen Da — your music, your activism, your heart— eternal.
What Zubeen Da has been to Assam and its people and what he will forever remain, can never be captured in just a few words. It can only be felt, deeply, in every vein of the people.
Assam in northeastern India has traditionally been severed from the rest of India rather harshly and it brought its own kind of scar: Partition, Assam Agitation, repeated displacements, insurgencies, the yearly floods that remake Assam and people of Assam. Where songs touch reminisce their roots, a matter of survival, a hint of a happy future. For the Assamese people, or for the people of Assam Zubeen became one of the souls that helped them grief and become strong.
Zubeen Garg always says “Mur kunu jati nai, mur kunu dhormo nai. Moi mukto.”
English translation:“I don’t belong to any caste, I don’t follow any religion. I am free.”
The Early Career of Zubeen Garg
Zubeen Garg, born on November 18, 1972, in Jorhat, Assam, was not just a singer; he was a force of nature. From a very young age, he displayed a rare blend of raw talent and intense emotional depth. Raised in a culturally rich environment, Zubeen was introduced to music by his mother, Ily Borthakur, a singer herself. Zubeen Garg’s father Mohini Borthakur is also a poet and lyricist writing under the name Kapil Thakur. At school functions, he used to play tabla, and from a very young age, he started singing. He is an avid reader and has read many books since childhood, which definitely helped him build his vocabulary, develop free thinking, and cultivate a fearless nature.
He can play a dozen instruments — from tabla, harmonium, keyboard, dhol, and guitar to dotara and many more. This versatility has been a key factor in his success as a composer. He can write, sing, compose, act, and much more! From a very early age, he started writing poems, and many of his followers and friends launched their careers by singing his poems on radio channels in the ’90s.
He began his musical journey at the age of 19 with the Assamese album Anamika in 1992, which took the region by storm. Zubeen Garg composed his very first song, “Gaane Ki Aane,” at the age of 13, and it was featured on this album. Assam had found not just a singer, but a soul that spoke directly to its people. His early works weren’t just melodies — they were movements. Songs like “Maya” and “Hiya Diya Niya” captured not just hearts, but the identity of an entire generation. People began to believe again in the Assamese songs and emotions at a time when the Hindi industry was almost taking over the region.
Conquering Bollywood, Without Losing His Soul
Zubeen’s voice eventually transcended Assam and made its way into the heart of Bollywood. His breakout hits like “Jaane Kya Chahe Mann” (Pyaar Ke Side Effects), “Ya Ali” (Gangster), and “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” (Krrish 3) have become anthems across India and the world. The “Ya Ali” song carved a niche for Zubeen in the Hindi music industry, blending Sufi, rock, and soul into something uniquely his own.
Yet, unlike many who lose themselves in the glamour of Bollywood, Zubeen Garg remained grounded. He never let the mainstream define him. He brought the same authenticity to every Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada song he sang, refusing to be boxed in by language or industry trends. He chose art over fame, truth over popularity.
A few lines from one of his Bollywood interviews: “I don’t like Bombay; there’s too much politics and attitude. I prefer to stay with my own people because even a king works from his own kingdom.”
Some of Zubeen Garg’s songs sang in bollywood or other languages:
Language / Film Industry | Popular Songs / Collaborations | Notes / Gaps |
Hindi / Bollywood | • Ya Ali (Gangster, 2006) • Jaane Kya Chahe Mann (Pyaar Ke Side Effects) • Dil Tu Hi Bataa (Krrish 3) • Subah Subah (I See You) • Jag Lal Lal Lal (Big Brother) • Dilruba (Namastey London) • Woh Bheege Pal (Manorama Six Feet Under) • Hum Kisi Ki Chah Me (Kabhi Kabhi Life Mein) • Ab Mujhko Jeena (Aashayein) • Dheere Dheere Chal (Bombay to Bangkok) • Roshni Se (Asoka) • Rama Re (Kaante) • Tu Kahaan Hai (TVF Tripling:Season 2) | These are highlights. He also has independent Hindi albums (like Zindagi, Pakeeza) and many tracks that are not in mainstream Bollywood films. |
Bengali | • Piya Re Piya Re (Chirdini Tumi Je Amar) • Mon Mane Na (Mon Mane Na, 2008) • Prem Ki Bujhini (Paglu 2011) • Bengali albums: Shudhu Tumi (2002) | There are more songs, collaborations, but they are not fully documented yet. |
Tamil / Telugu / Kannada / Other Regional Languages | Zubeen Garg worked in Tamil & Telugu soundtracks, and collaborated with composers like A.R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja. • Inji iduppazhagi (Kalakkal) • Pokhi Pokhi Bidekhi (Uyire) • Asaanaa Asaanaa (Kuthu) • Kangal Enkangalo (Urchagam) | There are significant gaps—detailed Telugu and Kannada song titles are missing from official sites, as much work is still on hold. |
Nepali | • Jhajhalko timro maya ko (Jhajhalko) • Siraima Sirbandi (Baduli) • Hijo Aaja (Meri Sannani ) • Chhodera Jadei Chheu (Sparsh) | There are more songs, collaborations, but they are not fully documented yet. |
*Note: There are more songs and collaborations in Marathi, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Tiwa, Manipuri, Adi, and many other regional and national languages, but they are not fully documented yet.
More Than Awards — The Legacy Written in 40,000 Songs
Zubeen Garg was not just prolific — he was unstoppable. With more than 39,000 songs across 40 languages, he set records not just in Assam, but globally. He received numerous awards, including Filmfare Awards, Global Indian Film Awards, and regional honors that made him not just respected, but revered.
But awards could never define him, they are just ornaments for him. Then what was his real reward? The people. The tears in an elder’s eyes after hearing him sing about lost love. The fists raised in protest when he sang about injustice. The children who learned to dream because they saw Zubeen Da never stop. That’s the kind of love and respect one can earn from their people.
Zubeen Garg to Zubeen Da: A Voice, A Rebel, A Legacy
“Da” — elder brother. That’s what Assam called him. Not Mr. Garg, not Zubeen, not a superstar. Just Da.
He earned that name not just for his singing, but for his commitment to the Assamese people, the stands he took for social causes, and the love he shared. Zubeen Da was not a celebrity who stayed behind cameras and crowds. He walked the streets. He showed up where he was needed — be it at a protest, a flood-ravaged village, or a small local event for artists who couldn’t afford a stage.
If you ask anyone from Assam or Northeast India about their memories of Zubeen Garg’s songs, you’ll definitely hear stories of how his voice brought them calm after heartbreak, gave them courage to stand against religious divisions, comforted them after losing a loved one, or added melody to their first experience of falling in love. That’s what makes him truly unique — everyone carries a part of his story within their own.
Zubeen Garg showed the world that rebellion is not just protest — it’s love. It’s music. It’s action.
Beyond Music: The Soul Beneath the Spotlight
Behind the voice that thundered over microphones and speakers was a deeply emotional, introspective man. Zubeen Da battled personal demons and pain, like many artists do. But instead of hiding them, he poured them into his music. His struggles became our songs. His heartbreak became our healing.
When he smiled, it felt like home. His humility was legendary. Despite his fame, he remained deeply connected to the common people, riding scooters, stopping to speak with fans, performing free shows for the people who couldn’t afford tickets.
How Zubeen Garg Became the Voice of the Voiceless
Zubeen Garg was never afraid to speak the truth — whether it was against politicians or on religious matters. He stood with farmers, students, indigenous people, and with the silenced, the forgotten, the wronged. When others stayed quiet, he sang louder. When others compromised, he rebelled. His songs were protest banners wrapped in melody. His concerts were gatherings of the hopeful. His voice was a mirror that forced society to look at itself — unfiltered, unafraid.
During a protest against tree cutting in Dighalipukhuri Assam, Zubeen Garg said, ‘I don’t protest, I just say what’s not right — and you have to obey.’ That’s the kind of aura he shares with his people.
He has even written, composed, and sung a political song titled ‘Politics Nokoriba Bondhu’
Here are a few lines from the song in Assamese:
Politics nokoriba bondhu,
Etiya nohoi somoy,
Ei desh jonogonar,
Sokolure honmanor…
English translation:
Don’t do politics, my friend,
Now is not the time,
This country belongs to the people,
Everyone deserves respect…
The Unseen Acts of Kindness — A Hero Off Stage
Much of Zubeen Garg’s social work remained hidden from the spotlight. He helped countless families in need, supported education for underprivileged children, and provided aid during natural disasters — often anonymously. A close friend of Zubeen Garg’s family mentioned that animals and birds were like extended family to him and in 2018, PETA India acknowledged what his fans had long believed, presenting him with the Hero to Animals Award. He didn’t do it for the camera. He did it because his heart beat for Assam and its people. Because he believed that being human came before being famous.
That’s what made him immortal and he became a movement. A home. A fire. A friend.
His Contributions to Social Causes:
Social Work | What’s Known |
Flood Relief in Assam | Organised charity concerts; donated funds during Assam’s annual floods. |
Youth Empowerment | He mentored aspiring artists via singing workshops; his label “Zubeen Garg Music” is involved with such workshops and empowering the youth of Assam. |
Cultural Preservation | He worked to revive interest in Bihu folk by blending it with contemporary genres. He is known for keeping regional languages and folk forms alive in his music. |
Social / Charitable Acts | He helped many young students pursue their education and adopted several children, supporting underprivileged families along the way. He also encouraged and supported many young athletes, giving them the strength to keep fighting. The list, I believe, is a long one. |
Thank You for Being Home to Millions
He was the reflection of our rage, our love, our laughter, our pain. Through him, Assam found a voice. India found a rebel. The world found a heart.
Zubeen Garg wasn’t just a singer, he was the echo of Assam’s soul. The recent heartbreaking news of Zubeen Garg’s passing and the outpouring of love from the crowd who came to pay their final respects — showed us the kind of life he lived. He stood tall in a world that too often bows down. He showed us how to live boldly: to scream, sing, cry, fight, love, and give without shame.
Thank you for showing us how to Love Loudly and Live Boldly
To the youth of Assam, India, and beyond, be the voice that doesn’t shake. Be the heart that doesn’t shrink. In a world that often silences what’s inconvenient, choose to be inconvenient. Be honest. Be loud. Be kind. Be unapologetically you.
Zubeen da once said, ‘A king should never leave his kingdom.’ And as a proud Assamese, I say — you are not leaving us, you are with us. You live on, in every beat of courage, in every song of truth.
Dr. Anindita Talukdar
The creative behind ESC sharing smart actionable tips and insights to level up writing and research skill.
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Dr. Anindita Talukdar
The creative behind ESC sharing smart actionable tips and insights to level up writing and research skill.
You wrote so beautifully. Although no amount of writing can really express what he meant to us and what he did for us, this was such a a heartwarming tribute. We will never recover from this loss, but I sincerely hope that his humanity and his rebellious spirit stays with our people as long as we exist….. ❤️
Thank you so much for your touching words. You’re absolutely right—no words can truly capture what Zubeen Da meant to us. I hope his spirit continues to inspire us all, just as it always has.
Heart warming article. Thanks for sharing details about zubeen Garg. While I was aware of him but was unable to fathom the outpouring of love and grief after his death. I can understand now why he is a legend. Thanks
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you got to know more about our beloved legend Zubeen Da. He truly is a great soul, and it means a lot to me that my blog could help you understand what he meant to the people of Assam and our culture.
Learn a lot about Garg, never heard before but happy to hear about him. 4Ok songs is not joke!