Guwahati: The sudden and tragic death of legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore has left Assam, the Northeast, and fans worldwide in shock and mourning. As grief turned into anger, questions and allegations began to swirl around the events leading to his demise, placing festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta under intense public scrutiny.
One of the earliest claims suggested that Garg had been compelled to travel to Singapore for the North East India Festival. Mahanta has firmly refuted this, stressing that the event was deeply rooted in Garg’s own vision. “The festival was his idea back in 2013. He always wanted a global platform to showcase Assam and the Northeast. Over the years, he joined us 13 times in Delhi, performed in Mumbai, and even went abroad twice earlier. He was overjoyed about Singapore and personally promoted it on social media,” Mahanta said.
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The second wave of allegations centered on why organisers could not “save” the singer. Mahanta, in a detailed press release, recounted the tragic sequence of events. On the morning of September 19, the festival had formally opened with an official meeting at Singapore’s Shangri-La Hotel, attended by the Indian High Commissioner, dignitaries, and state leaders. While the team was engaged in preparations, Garg had gone on a casual boat outing arranged by a close Assamese friend, Tanmay, with a group of 12 locals.
During the trip, Garg, described as a confident swimmer, entered the water but suddenly collapsed. His nephew, Sandeepan Garg, a DSP in Assam Police, and others tried to revive him with CPR until harbor guards rushed him to the hospital. Despite their best efforts, doctors declared him dead.
“Our hearts broke in that moment. I rushed to the hospital as soon as I heard. The grief of the team is indescribable,” Mahanta said.
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Public anger, however, has continued to mount. Responding to criticism, Mahanta added, “Every decision on the festival was taken with Zubeen. He was my friend, philosopher, and guide. Losing him is like losing part of myself. For days, I couldn’t even take calls.”
The tragedy also overshadowed the festival’s cultural plans. A special tribute to Bhupen Hazarika, curated by Garg himself and scheduled for September 20, was to feature Zubeen’s rendition of Niyoror Phool. The performance never happened, leaving a void that Mahanta described as “immeasurable.”
Appealing for calm and transparency, Mahanta said, “Let there be a full investigation. We have nothing to hide and will cooperate fully. Zubeen’s loss is not only ours — it is a devastating loss for the entire nation.”
