Guwahati, Sep 19 : Celebrated Assamese singer and music legend Zubeen Garg, whose soulful voice made him a household name across the country, passed away in a tragic accident in Singapore. He was 52.

According to sources, the acclaimed singer met with an accident while scuba diving off the coast of Singapore on Thursday night. Police divers managed to pull him out of the water and rushed him to a nearby hospital.

Despite being placed under intensive medical care, doctors could not revive him.

Garg had travelled to Singapore to participate in the North East Festival, where he was scheduled to perform on Friday. His sudden demise has cast a pall of gloom over the event and across the Assamese community worldwide.

Known as the cultural icon of Assam, Zubeen Garg was not just a singer but also a composer, music director, actor, and filmmaker. With a career spanning over three decades, he lent his voice to thousands of songs in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and several other Indian languages.

His versatility and ability to bridge regional and mainstream music earned him immense popularity and respect. From the romantic ballad 'Ya Ali,' which catapulted him to pan-India fame, to countless Assamese hits that defined the soundtrack of the region for decades, Garg's contribution to music was unparalleled.

He also played a key role in promoting Assamese culture and the identity of the Northeast on the national stage.

Tributes and condolences have been pouring in from all quarters. Political leaders, fellow musicians, film personalities, and fans have expressed their grief at the untimely death of the singer, who was widely regarded as the voice of modern Assam.

Congress leader Ripun Bora said, "Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of our cultural icon Zubeen Garg. His voice, music, and indomitable spirit inspired generations across Assam and beyond. My heartfelt condolences to his family, fans, and loved ones. Rest in peace, Legend."

Social media platforms have been flooded with emotional messages, with many describing Garg's passing as an irreparable loss to India's music industry. For millions of fans in Assam and beyond, Zubeen Garg was more than a singer -- he was a cultural ambassador, a voice of identity, and a symbol of pride for the Northeast. His death leaves behind a deep void that will be hard to fill.

/IANS