Zubeen Garg

Indian singer-songwriter, actor and filmmaker From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zubeen Garg

Zubeen Garg (born Zubeen Borthakur Assamese pronunciation: [zubin bɔɹtʰakuɹ]; 18 November 1972) is an Indian singer–songwriter, composer, lyricist, music director, music producer, actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, poet and philanthropist.[8] He primarily works for and sings in the Assamese, Bengali and Hindi-language film and music industries,[9] but has sung in 40 other languages and dialects, including Bishnupriya Manipuri, Boro, English, Goalpariya, Kannada, Karbi, Khasi, Malayalam, Marathi, Mising, Nepali, Odia, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Tiwa.[10][11][12] He is also a multi-instrumentalist and plays 12 instruments including anandalahari, dhol, dotara, drums, guitar, harmonica, harmonium, mandolin, keyboard, tabla and various percussion instruments.[13] He is Assam's highest-paid singer.[14]

Quick Facts Pronunciation, Born ...
Zubeen Garg
Garg live in a concert in 2023
Pronunciation[zubin ɡaɹg]
Born
Zubeen Borthakur

(1972-11-18) 18 November 1972 (age 52)[1]
Alma mater
Occupations
Years active1992–present
Works
Spouse
Garima Saikia Garg
(m. 2002)
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Also known as
OriginJorhat, Assam, India
Genres
Instruments
DiscographyFull list
Labels
Close

In 2011, Zubeen Garg was honoured as a guest artist of the year by the Assam Convention, at Oakbrook in Chicago, United States.[15]

Personal life

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Garg was born to an Assamese Brahmin family at Tura, Meghalaya to Mohini Mohon Borthakur and Late Ily Borthakur. He was named after the music composer Zubin Mehta[16][17] and used his gotra Garg as his surname.[18] His father Mohini Borthakur was a Magistrate,[19] and is a lyricist and a poet under the name Kapil Thakur[20] and his mother Late Ily Borthakur was a singer.[19][21]

Garg's younger sister Jongki Borthakur was an actress and singer who died in a car accident in February 2002 in Sonitpur district while they were going to perform stage show along with her co-artists.[20] He had released the album Xixhu in 2002, in the memory of Jonkey Borthakur.[21][20] His another sister is Dr. Palme Borthakur.[22]

Garg passed his matriculation exam in Tamulpur Higher Secondary School and then pursued a degree in Bachelor of Science in B. Borooah College[19] but dropped out to concentrate in his singing career.[23]

Garg married Garima Saikia, a fashion designer from Golaghat, Assam on 4 February 2002.[24]

Garg considers himself irreligious and says that he does not have any caste or religion.[25]

On 27 May 2024, Zubeen Garg was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree by the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya.[26][27]

Controversies

In 2019, the artist faced a controversy when he said, “I am Brahmin, but I have snapped my ‘lagun’ (a sacred thread worn by Brahmins) in the movie. I had removed the thread earlier, and still don't wear it. These Brahmins should be killed”. Later he apologized for this statement.[16]

In April 2024, during Bihu concert, he said to the crowd that Krishna, a Hindu deity, was never God but a man, and he was subsequently banned from Majuli District Satra Mahasabha.[28]

Starting of musical life

Garg started to sing from the age of three.[29] His first guru was his mother from where he learnt to sing and then he learnt tabla from Pandit Robin Banerjee for 11 years.[19] Guru Ramani Rai acquainted him with Assamese folk.[30][31] Garg was composing songs from his school days and used to give to singers to sing.

Singing career

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Beginning of singing career (1992–1995)

Garg got his confidence to become a professional singer when he got gold medal for his western solo performance in youth festival held in 1992.[32] And after this he entered into professional music with his debut Assamese album Anamika, which was released in November 1992.[33][34][21] Garg's first recorded songs were "Tumi Junu Pariba Hun"[35] and "Tumi Junaki Hubakh"[36] for the album Ritu but was released in 1993. He released many other albums such as Xapunor Xur (1992), Junaki Mon (1993), Maya (1994), Asha (1995) etc. Before he moved to Mumbai in 1995, he released his first bihu album Ujan Piriti which was a commercial success.

Bollywood singing career (1995–2013)

In the mid-1995, Garg moved to Mumbai to work in the Bollywood music industry where he debuted his first Indipop solo album Chandni Raat.[37] Later, he recorded few Hindi albums and remix songs like Chanda (1996), Shradhaanjali vol: 1,2,3 (1996-97), Jalwa (1998), Yuhi Kabhi (1998), Jadoo (1999), Sparsh (2000), etc. He got to sing for different films like Gaddaar (1995), Dil Se (1998), Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998), Fiza (2000), Kaante (2002).[38] In 2003, he sung "Sapne Saare" and "khwabon Ki" from the movie Mudda-The Issue, "Mango Agar Dil Se Toh Khuda" from the movie Chupke Se, "Holi Re" from the movie Mumbai se Aiya Mera Dost and "Jo Pyar tumne" from the movie Jaal: The Trap.[39]

Bengali singing career (2003–2017)

Apart from singing in his Bollywood and Assamese industries, he debuted in the Bengali music industry in 2003 where he sang two songs in the movie Mon. In the next year, he sang three songs in the movie Shudhu Tumi and was the film's music director.[40] In 2005 he sang"O Bondhure" and "Lagena Bhalo" in the film Premi.

Breakthrough Song "Ya Ali" and more (2006–presents)

He got the biggest break in Bollywood from the movie Gangster where he sang the song "Ya Ali".[41] The song brought him the best playback singer Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA) in 2006. His next Hindi album Zindagi was released in 2007.[42] In 2008 he recorded several Bengali songs like "Mon mane Na" from" the movie Mon Mane Na, "Piya re Piya re" from the movie Chirodini Tumi je Amaar, and "Mon jete chay shudhu" from the movie Love story

Social work

Garg runs a charity, the Kalaguru Artiste Foundation, which donates money for various causes. He urged people to donate clothes, medicines and contributions when devastating floods hit Assam.[43] He took on the issue over corruption in APSC recruitment in his movie Kanchanjangha.[8][44][45]

He is a football fan and has played matches to collect funds for flood-affected people.[46]

Garg was one of the main non-political figure of the Anti-CAA protest in Assam.[47][48][49] In May 2021, during a surge in COVID-19 cases, Garg offered his two-storeyed house in Guwahati to be converted into a COVID Care Centre. This generous act aimed to address the rising demand for beds for patients in the critical time.[50]

Legacy

As a mark of respect and to celebrate Garg, a 20 foot tall statue has been set up. It was unveiled by the singer himself on 2 December 2022 during the Nazirating Tamuli Tourism Festival in Digboi.[51] Bamboo bridge built across the Na Dihing river by villagers of Tengapani and named after Zubeen Garg is inaugurated by the singer himself at Tengapani-Thepabari on 29 February 2020.[52][53]

Discography

Filmography

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As an actor

Films

Garg played the lead role in Mon Jaai, which won Best Feature Film in Assamese at 56th National Film Awards.

Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role(s) Language
2000 Tumi Mur Matho Mur Hrishi Assamese
2002 Prem Aru Prem Special appearance in the song "Sokuwe Sokuwe"
2004 Dinabandhu Bipul
2006 Gangster Special appearance in the song "Ya Ali" Hindi
Strings Special appearance in the song "Mantra (Om)"
2007 Big Brother Special appearance in the song "Jag Lal Lal"
2008 Mon Jaai Manab Assamese
2011 Raamdhenu Special appearance in the song "Tupi"
2013 Bhal Pabo Najanilu Indranil
2014 Suma Porokhote Special appearance in the song "Suma Porokhote"
Rodor Sithi
2015 Ahetuk Special appearance in the song "Ahetuk"
2016 Gaane Ki Aane Nilabh Jonak Baruah
Xat Nomboror Xondhanot Sibu
2017 Mission China Colonel Goswami
Tumi Aahibaane Special appearance
Priyaar Priyo Priyobrot Kakoti & Bishnujyoti Bezbaruah
2018 The Underworld Don
2019 Kanchanjangha Anirban
Pratighaat Special appearance in the song "Pratighaat"
2022 Rajneeti - Part 1 Arindam
2023 Dr. Bezbaruah 2 DSP Mahadev Borbarua
2024 Wide Angle
Sikaar [54] Shankar

Television

Year Serial(s) Role Language
2010–11 Anuradha[55] Anirudh Assamese

As a director

Films

Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Language Note
2000 Tumi Mur Mathu Mur Assamese
2017 Mission China
2019 Kanchanjangha

As a producer and screenwriter

Producer

Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Language
2004 Dinabandhu Assamese
2017 Mission China
2019 Kanchanjangha
2025 Roi Roi Binale

Screenwriter

Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Language
2000 Tumi Mur Mathu Mur Assamese
2017 Mission China
2019 Kanchanjangha
2025 Roi Roi Binale

As a judge

Year TV Channel Show(s) Language Notes
2002 Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Hindi Guest judge
2004
2007–08 Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs[56] Bengali
2013 Guest judge
2013–14 Rengoni Moi Zubeen Garg Hobo Bisaru Assamese

Bibliography

He got Seuji-Seuji award for his poetry book in 2017.[57]

Year Book Language
2009 Xabda Anubhuti Assamese
2018 Zubeenor Podyo[58]
2020 Zubeenor Podyo (2nd Edition)

Awards and honours

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Perspective

Zubeen Garg has received the following recognitions for his work in the industry.

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Best Music Direction Award to Mr. Zubeen Garg for Non-feature Film Echoes Of Silence, at the 55th National Film Awards, 2009.
YearAwardMovie/Theatre/AlbumCategoryResult
1996 Screen Awards Chandni Raat Best Indian Pop Album Nominated
Channel V Music Awards Nominated
2005 BFJA AwardsShudhu TumiBest Music DirectorWon
Prag Cine Awards 2005 Rong Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Chaya Dore Thaka Tumi"[59] Won
2006 Global Indian Film Awards[60] Gangster Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Ya Ali" Won
2007 Filmfare Awards[citation needed] Nominated
Zee Cine Awards Nominated
IIFA Awards[61] Nominated
Stardust Awards[62] New Musical Sensation (Male) - "Ya Ali" Won
Screen Awards[63] Best Male Playback - "Ya Ali" Nominated
2008 Kalakaar Award Zindagi Best Music Album Won
Tumi Won
200955th National Film AwardsEchoes of SilenceNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Music DirectionWon
2011 Prag Cine Awards 2011 Jetuka Pator Dore Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Puwar Hahit" Nominated
2012 Prag Cine Awards 2012[64][65] Raamdhenu Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Rang Dia Morom" Nominated
2013 Prag Cine Awards 2013 Me and My Sister Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Thunuk Thanak" Nominated
2014 Prag Cine Awards 2014 Shinyor Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Kaalor Aasur" Nominated
2015 Prag Cine Awards 2015Ahetuk Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Ahetuk" Won
Rodor Sithi Best Music Direction Nominated
2016 Gup-Shup Music Awards Boliya Krishna (Hengool Treatre) Title Song Of The Year - "Boliya Krishna" Won
Gaane Ki Aane Best Music Composer - "Janu Janu" Won
2017 Prag Cine Awards 2017 Best Music Direction Nominated
Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Janu Janu" Nominated
Bhraymaman Mobile Theatre Awards Kohinoor Theater Red FM Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Janam Janam"[66] Won
2018 Prag Cine Awards 2018[67]Mission ChinaBest Actor (Popular)Won
Best Film (Popular)Won
Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Din Jwole Raati Jwole" Nominated
Priyaar Priyo Best Actor Nominated
Bhraymaman Mobile Theatre Awards Abahan Theater Red FM Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Oo Maa"[68] Won
2019 Bhraymaman Mobile Theatre Awards Deuta (Chiranjeeb Theatre) Red FM Best Playback Singer (Male) - "O Deuta"[69] Won
2021 Prag Cine Awards 2021[70] Kanchanjangha Best Film (Popular) Nominated
Best Actor (Popular) Won
Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Panchana" Won
Ratnakar Best Music Director Won
Best Lyrics - "Rati Rati" Nominated
Pratighaat Best Music Director Nominated
Bornodi Bhotiai Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Bornodi Bhotiai" Nominated
2022 Prag Cine Awards 2022[71] The Firing range Best Singer Male (2020) Nominated
Chandrawali Best Singer Male (2021) Nominated
2023 8th Assam State Film Awards[72][73] Kanchanjangha Best Playback Singer (Male) - "Panchana" Won
Rajasthan Film Festival (In other regional films) Dr. Bezbaruah 2 Best Singer Male - "Ki Naam Di Maatim" Nominated
Best Music Director - "Ki Naam Di Maatim" Nominated
Best Supporting Character Won
2024 Filmfare Awards Assamese[74] The Slam Book Best Music Album Won

See also

References

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