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Zubeen Garg’s Singapore Visit Was Meant for Leisure, Not Just Festival: NEIF Organiser
Sep 20, 2025In the wake of the untimely death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, the organiser of the North East India Festival (NEIF) in Singapore has clarified that the artist’s visit was intended as much for personal relaxation as for participating in the cultural event.
The three-day festival, which was scheduled to begin on Friday, was cancelled following the tragic incident. Garg reportedly drowned while swimming in the sea without a life jacket, just days before the event was set to commence.
Speaking to the media, NEIF’s chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta stated that Garg had chosen to travel to Singapore of his own accord and had made independent plans with the Assam Association of Singapore.
“Zubeen had told us he wanted to come here to relax,” Mahanta said. “We arranged his stay, but he had also coordinated separately with members of the Assam Association to visit places before the festival.”
Mahanta also clarified that Zubeen was not scheduled to perform a full-fledged concert at NEIF. Instead, he was expected to interact with audiences and sing a few songs as part of the festival’s informal proceedings.
The late singer was accompanied by a small team, including his cousin Sandeepan Garg, manager Siddhartha Sharma, and musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami.
Zubeen Garg, a celebrated figure in Assamese music and cinema, was widely admired for his contributions to the cultural identity of the Northeast. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves across the region and beyond, with tributes pouring in from fans and fellow artists alike.
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