Zubeen Garg: A Beloved Voice, A People’s Artist, An Everlasting Inspiration

At Elisium Art, we have always believed that art lives in moments, in voices, and in the ways it transcends lines of language, caste, and region. Zubeen Garg was one such voice—a versatile artist who resonated deeply with millions of people, not only in Assam and India but also in the hearts of those everywhere who believe in the power of creativity, kindness, and truth.

A Life Composed in Many Languages

Born as Jibon Borthakur in 1972 in Tura, Meghalaya and raised in a household where poetry and music were daily companions (his mother was a singer, his father a poet and magistrate), Zubeen’s artistic journey began early and expanded wildly. He didn’t just sing in one or two tongues; he recorded over 38,000 songs across more than 40 languages and dialects.

His range was not just linguistic but also musical; he played many instruments, and his creativity extended into acting, composing, and social engagement. Zubeen’s life was lived fully in art, about connecting people with emotion, soul, and story.

Not Just a Superstar, A People’s Hero

What made Zubeen far more than a celebrity was the way he grounded his art in his people. He didn’t let fame define or separate him from the many who loved him. To Zubeen, religion, caste, or creed were less important than the universality of music. He spoke openly about his identity, often saying he had no caste or religion; his roots were in art, and his audience was everything to him. He frequently called himself the people’s person. He belonged to his people.

He used his voice beyond music: for charity, for kindness, for caring. He uplifted other artists, extended help to those in need, and believed in creativity as a gift to be shared, bringing hope and healing to others. His honesty, fearlessness in speaking out on social issues, and compassion made him beloved not just for his art, but for the kind of person he was.

He was known for his charity and philanthropy, which included supporting education, sports, and those in need of poverty relief, funding healthcare, assisting artists in need, and quietly reaching out to communities without seeking recognition.

Even more profoundly, he became a father to 15 orphaned children, raising them with care, dignity, and love. This was his most beautiful composition, not one sung with melodies, but lived through action and responsibility.

His Love for Animals and Nature

Zubeen’s compassion extended far beyond human society. He was a true lover of animals, often advocating kindness and care towards them. His empathy reflected a larger philosophy that art and humanity are incomplete without respect for all living beings and for nature itself.

An Artistry That Leaves a Legacy

Every artist leaves behind works; few leave behind echoing footsteps that others can follow. Zubeen’s legacy is multi-layered:

• He crafted songs that became an integral part of people’s lives, played at weddings, in times of grief, on idle Tuesdays, in quiet car rides, and on festival stages.
• He acted and composed, using his platform not only for entertainment but to preserve language, regional identity, and cultural nuance.
• He inspired younger artists to believe that you don’t need a traditional path to make art. That grit, authenticity, and passion are valid choices and impactful ones.

A King Without a Crown

Despite his phenomenal output and fame, what people often say most is how humble he remained. He was widely loved because he stayed close to his roots, celebrated his people, and viewed art as a means to express feelings, foster community, and share a common human experience. The love he received was not just for the songs, but for the man behind them —a person who lived to see others uplifted, whose life was measured not in awards but in moments of genuine connection. Despite his fame in Bollywood during the early 2000s, he left that fame behind and returned to his roots in Assam, where he decided to dedicate himself to serving his people and pursuing what mattered to him.

What His Life Teaches Us

From the Elisium Art family, here are reflections we carry from Zubeen’s journey:

• Creativity has no borders: language, region, genre, these are tools, not constraints.
• Authenticity matters more than polish: people feel honesty. They feel heart.
• Art is service: for healing, for joy, for resistance, for uniting.
• Legacy is built every day: not only through big hits, but through kindness, mentorship, empathy, and honesty in your craft.

In Mourning, Yet Celebrating

Zubeen Garg passed away on 19 September 2025. The world lost a creative force, a voice we thought would always be singing. But in that loss, we also hold something precious, his songs, his spirit, his example.

His music will continue to live on the airwaves, in memories, in hearts. Our love for him does not end with grief; it becomes part of the music, part of the art, part of the energy that inspires millions to pick up a pen, a mic, or a brush and believe that art is the way.

From the Elisium Art Family: Thank You

Zubeen, thank you. For your voice. For your courage. For every note that soared, every word that healed. You taught us that being a creative person is not about perfection; it is about being real, being brave, and being generous.

We in the art world, especially among painters, musicians, creators of every kind, will remember you not just for your songs but for how you lived them: with passion, with honesty, with love.

You were not only an artist for the world but also a father, a mentor, and a voice for the voiceless—human and animal alike.

May your melody continue to inspire. May your art continue beyond time.

Rest in peace, Dear Zubeen Garg.