Explore Zubeen Garg’s biography from childhood to musical legend, known for his 38,000 songs, Bollywood hits, an Assamese legacy, awards, and his contribution to music.
Zubeen Garg was not only a name; it’s an emotion for all Assam’s people, known as the “Heartthrob of Assam.” He is a music singer, composer, actor, and also a cultural icon of Assam. He carried Assamese music and culture onto the global stage through his 38000+ hit songs in over 40 languages. Through the Zubeen Garg biography, you’ll know about his full life story, career, Assamese music, and his cultural contributions.
Early Life and Childhood
Zubeen Garg was born on 18 November 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya. Originally named Zubeen Barthakur. Initially, he was chosen to be named Zubeen Mehta, but instead of using his parental surname, he chose Garg as the title of his Brahmin Gotra.
Zubeen Garg was brought up in Jorhat, Assam. His father, Mohini Mohan Borthakur, was a magistrate and also a lyricist and poet. His mother, Ily Borthakur, was a sinner. Zubeen Garg passed his HSLC exam in Tamulpur Higher Secondary School and did his HS from Karimganj College. He dropped out of the Bachelor of Science program at B. Borooah College to focus on his music career. However, he started singing at the age of 3; his first guru was his mother.
Zubeen Garg Family
Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, is a fashion designer from Golaghat, Assam. Zubeen Garg’s father’s name is Mohini Mohan Borthakur, and his mother’s name is Ily Borthakur. Although he had two sisters, Jonkey Borthakur, an actress and singer, and Palme Borthakur, a physician. In February 2002, Garg’s younger sister Jonkey Borthakur, died in a car accident in Sonitpur district.
Career of Zubeen Garg
Zubeen Garg started his career in 1992; his debut Assamese song is ‘Anamika,’ which was released in November 1992. He got a gold medal for his western solo performance in the youth festival held in 1992. His first recorded song was “Tumi Junu Pariba Hun.” After that, he released many albums, like
- Xapunor Xur (1992)
- Junaki Mon (1993)
- Maya (1994)
- Asha (1995)
- Ujan piriti (1995)
Bollywood singing career
In 1995 Zubeen Garg moved to Mumbai, and his first Hindi solo music album, “Chandini Raat,” debuted. His other songs in the Bollywood music industry, such as
- Chanda 1996
- Shradhaanjali vol. 1, 2, 3 (1996-97)
- Jalwa (1998)
- Yuhi Kabhi (1998)
- Jadoo (1999)
- Sparsh (2000)
- Sapne saree (2003)
- Khwobon ki (2003)
- Mango Agar Dil Se (2003)
However, Zubeen Garg’s biggest hit from Bollywood was “Ya Ali” from the Gangster movie.
Bengali Singing Career
His Bengali dubbed song was in 2003 in the movie Mon. His other Bengali songs, such as
- O Bandhure
- Lagena Bhalo
- Mon Mane na
- Piya re Piya re
- Mon jete chay shudhu
- Khuda jane
- Soniye, you
- Tore Niye jai
- Chokher jole
- Mon toke dilam
Zubeen Garg as a Music Director
Here are some of His works as music director, such as
- Hiya Diya Niya (2000)
- Tumi Mur Mathu Mur (2000)
- Nayak (2001)
- Prem aru prem (2002)
- Jonaki Mon (2002)
- Mon Jai (2008)
- Mission China (2017)
- Kanchanjangha (2019)
- Ratnakar (2019)
- Dr. Bezbaruah -2 (2023), etc.
Zubeen Garg as an Actor
Zubeen Garg, also an actor, is here. Here are some of the films where he acted.
- Tumi Mur Mathu Mur (2000)
- Dinabandhu (2004)
- Gangster (special appearance in the song Ya ali) (2006)
- Mon Jaai (2008)
- Mission china (Colonel Goswami), (2017)
- Dr. Bezbaruah-2 (DSP Mahadev Borbaruah etc.
Contribution to Assamese Music and Culture
Zubeen Garg is one of the most impactful artists of new-age Assamese music, whose voice and imagination have left a profound and enduring impression on Assam’s cultural identity. His first album, Anamika (1992), is an innovative blend of traditional Assamese folk melody and modern arrangement.
Not only a vocalist, he has also worked as an actor, composer, film director, and poet, enriching Assamese culture not only through music but also through cinema, literature, and public life. During his career, Zubeen has sung thousands of songs in dozens of languages, such as Hindi, Bengali, Karbi, Bodo, Mising, and Tiwa. These tribal language songs made him a link between Assam’s local traditions and the larger Indian musical traditions.
His presence in Assamese cinema (both acting and music direction) has served to enhance production standards, expand the range of audience expectations, and present Assamese narratives to global audiences. He was a voice and a representation of Assamese power and pride. Zubeen Garg has, in general, helped build Assamese music into what it is now by clinging to cultural traditions, embracing innovation, and encouraging a feeling of community that appeals to listeners both domestically and internationally.
Zubeen Garg Award
He won the best playback singer Global Indian Film Award in 2006 for “Ya Ali” from Gangster. Here are his other awards, such as
| Award | Year | Movies/Theater/Songs |
| Channel Music Award | 1996 | Chandini Raat |
| BFJA Award | 2005 | Shudhu Tumi |
| Prag Cine Award | 2005 | Rong |
| Filmfare Award | 2007 | Gangster |
| Zee Cine Award | 2007 | Gangster |
| IIFA Award | 2007 | Gangster |
| Stardust Award | 2007 | Gangster |
| Screen award | 2007 | gangster |
| KalaKar Award | 2008 | Zindegi/Tumi |
| 55th National Film Award | 2009 | Echoes of Silence |
| Prag Cine Award | 2011 | Jetuka Pator Dore |
| Prag Cine Award | 2012 | Raamdhenu |
| Prag Cine Award | 2013 | Me and My Sister |
| Prag Cine Award | 2014 | Shinyor |
| Prag Cine Award | 2015 | Ahetuk/Rodor Sithi |
| Guo-Chup Music Award | 2016 | Boliya Krishna |
| Prag Cine Award | 2017 | Gaane Ki Aane |
| Bhraymaman Mobile Theatre Award | 2017 | Kohinoor Theatre |
| Prag Cine Award | 2018 | Mission China |
| Bhraymaman Theatre Mobile Award | 2018 | Abahan Theatre |
| Bhraymaman Theatre Mobile Award | 2019 | Deuta |
| Prag Cine Award | 2021 | Kanchanjangha/Ratnakar/Pratighat/Bornodi Bhotial |
| Prag Cine Award | 2022 | The Firing range/Chandrawali |
| 8th Assam State Film Award | 2023 | Kanchanjangha |
| Rajasthan Film Festival | 2023 | Dr. Bezbaruah² |
| Filmfare Award Assamese | 2024 | The Slam Book |
| Bhupen Hazarika Award | 2025 |
List of Hit Assamese Songs by Zubeen Garg
Here are some of Zubeen Garg’s hit Assamese songs:
- Anamika
- Monor Nijanat
- Gaane ki Aane
- Tumi Suwa Jetia
- Asha
- Mor mon
- Sokuwe Sokuwe
- Roi Roi Binaale
- Pakhi Meli Diye
- Pakhi Pakhi Ai Mon
- Jantra
- Hai Hai Mari Dila
- Mayabini
Zubeen Garg’s Death
On September 19, 2025, Zubeen Garg died in Singapore due to a breathing problem caused by a seizure during swimming. He was going to Singapore to attend the 4th Northeast Festival organized by Shyamkanu Mahanta.
Also Read: Top 5 Assamese Singers of All Time
