The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati has paid tribute to celebrated Assamese singer-songwriter Zubeen Garg on the first anniversary of his death, recalling his memorable performance at Bangladesh’s National Day celebration in the Indian city in 2022.
In a tribute posted on its verified Facebook page on Saturday, the Assistant High Commission described Garg as an extraordinary artiste whose music and voice crossed borders and touched millions of hearts.
The mission also highlighted Garg’s connection with Bangladesh through his participation in the National Day celebration organised at ITA Machkhowa in Guwahati in 2022. His performance at the event was remembered as a significant cultural moment, with the mission saying that his powerful voice and captivating stage presence had made the evening unforgettable.
Garg died in Singapore on 19 September 2025 at the age of 52. A Singapore state coroner later determined that his death was caused by accidental drowning, with no evidence of foul play.
The circumstances surrounding his death were followed by widespread mourning, particularly in Assam, where Garg had built a lasting reputation through his work as a singer, songwriter and composer. His music was closely associated with Assamese cultural life, while his appeal extended beyond the state and across linguistic and geographical boundaries.
The Bangladesh mission said Garg’s music reflected the shared cultural bonds between India and Bangladesh. It also pointed to the wider role of art and music in bringing people closer, regardless of national borders.
Garg’s appearance at the 2022 National Day celebration was particularly significant in this context. Cultural programmes of this nature provide an opportunity for artists and audiences from different backgrounds to come together, and Garg’s participation added a prominent Assamese voice to an event organised by Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission.
His first death anniversary was observed across Assam with tributes from fans, family members and fellow artistes. Various commemorative activities were held as admirers remembered his music and contribution to the region’s cultural landscape.
A three-day programme was also organised at Garg’s memorial in Kamarkuchi near Guwahati. The events formed part of the wider commemorations marking one year since his death and provided an opportunity for those who admired his work to remember his artistic journey.
Garg was widely recognised for his versatility, working across singing, songwriting and composition. His artistic career made him a prominent figure in Assamese music, while his songs and performances reached audiences outside Assam as well.
The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission placed particular emphasis on the enduring nature of his musical legacy. In its tribute, the mission said that although Garg’s voice had fallen silent, his music would continue to live in the hearts of countless admirers.
The remembrance also underlined the cultural links between Bangladesh and Assam. While the two are separated by an international border, music and cultural exchange have continued to provide ways for people to connect. Garg’s participation in the 2022 National Day celebration was one such occasion.
The Bangladesh mission concluded its tribute by remembering Zubeen Garg as an artiste who would remain “forever in our hearts”, reflecting the lasting impression his music left on audiences in the region and beyond.
