Playback singer Papon, renowned for hits like ‘Bulleya,’ ‘Jiyein Kyun,’ and ‘Moh Moh Ke Dhaage,’ recently paid tribute to the legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
On Wednesday, Papon shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, featuring a picture of himself as he bade farewell to Zubeen’s mortal remains. He captioned it, “Goodbye friend…. Be happy wherever you are.”
Zubeen Garg: A Musical Icon
Zubeen was more than just a singer; he stood as a cultural icon for Assam and India. He made his mark in mainstream music in 1990 and quickly became a beloved figure in Assam. In the early 2000s, he ventured into Hindi film music, making his debut with ‘Jaane Kya Hoga Rama Re’ from the film ‘Kaante,’ which was an unofficial remake of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Reservoir Dogs.’
His song ‘Ya Ali’ from ‘Gangster’ catapulted him to wider fame. This chart-topping track resonates with an entire generation, even two decades later.
Despite achieving success in Hindi music, Zubeen chose to base himself in Assam, valuing his roots. He was also known for his strong political and cultural views, notably being a vocal opponent of the CAA in Assam.
A Remarkable Legacy
Throughout his more than 30-year career, Zubeen recorded nearly 38,000 songs in various Indian languages, a remarkable achievement rarely matched in the music industry. For context, Kishore Kumar, widely regarded as one of the most prolific artists, recorded around 3,000 songs, merely a fraction of Zubeen’s extensive repertoire. His funeral drew more than a million attendees, marking it as the fourth largest gathering in history.
Zubeen Garg tragically passed away on September 19, 2025, in Singapore due to a swimming mishap, with preliminary assessments suggesting accidental drowning.