Zubeen Garg, the renowned Bollywood singer best known for the hit song 'Ya Ali', has died in a scuba diving accident in Singapore at the age of 52, officials have confirmed.
The singer was in Singapore to perform at the Northeast India Festival when he suffered a medical emergency while swimming. He was pulled from the water by Singapore police and rushed to hospital, but could not be saved.
Ashok Singhal, a minister in Garg's home state of Assam, confirmed the death, calling him 'the pride of Assam and the nation'. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that an autopsy had been carried out in Singapore and arrangements were being made to repatriate the body.
'Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons,' Sarma said, adding that the remains would lie in state in Guwahati for public tribute. He described Garg's voice as having 'an unmatched ability to energise people' and said his music 'spoke directly to our minds and souls'.
Garg, one of the most recognisable voices from India's northeast, recorded in more than 40 languages and dialects. His career spanned film soundtracks, independent albums and acting, and he was a prolific live performer.
Tributes have poured in from fans and politicians, with vigils reported across Assam. Large crowds gathered in cities, many openly weeping, according to local media reports.
