The organisers of the Northeast Festival in Singapore have announced the cancellation of the event following the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The 52-year-old artist died on 19 September after suffering seizures while swimming during a yacht trip.
Festival curator Shyamkanu Mahanta and his team, who had been managing Garg’s appearance at the event, were in the middle of business meetings with senior Singaporean industrialists and policymakers at the Shangri-La Hotel when they received news of the accident. These discussions were aimed at attracting investments into Northeast India, with sessions on tourism and trade partnerships scheduled for 20 September.
According to the organisers, Garg had arrived in Singapore two days before the tragedy and was scheduled to perform at the festival. They later learned that he had been taken on an unplanned yacht visit by members of the local Assamese community. It was during this excursion that he went for a second swim, suffered seizures, and despite being given CPR and rushed to hospital, was declared dead around 2:30 pm local time.
The organisers issued a statement expressing their grief, saying: “This is a monumental loss, and words cannot express the depth of our grief. In light of this tragedy, we are cancelling the event. We are devastated and pray for the departed soul of Zubeen Garg.” They added that they have been working closely with the Indian High Commission in Singapore to complete the necessary procedures.
Meanwhile, in Assam, an FIR has been lodged against Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager and another individual. The complaint, filed in Marigaon by advocate Ratul Bora, has sought action against them in connection with the circumstances surrounding Garg’s death.
Garg, widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in Assamese music, contributed to songs in over 40 languages and dialects. His popularity spread beyond the Northeast with hits such as “Ya Ali” from the 2006 film Gangster.
The Northeast Festival was designed to showcase the region’s cultural and economic potential, strengthening ties between India’s Northeast and Singapore. However, following the tragedy, all events have been called off.
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