When Ya Ali Played, We Dreamed: Remembering Zubeen Garg
Some voices sing not just to be heard, but to live inside you. They find their way into your first crush, your puberty breakup, your after-midnight drives. Zubeen Garg was such a voice for our generation of 90s children. He passed away on September 19, 2025, and with him, a part of our childhood. A scuba diving accident in Singapore cut short the life of a singer whose melodies seemed to be endless; but even in sorrow, we recall, we rejoice, and we play his songs on repeat. (Image courtesy: livemint)
The Bollywood and Beyond Magic
Zubeen wasn’t just Assam’s pride; he was Bollywood’s secret gem. While everybody knew him for Ya Ali, he was much more than a chartbuster. His music had heart, soul, and emotion in every beat. (Image courtesy: newsbytesapp)
Some of Bollywood’s greatest tracks that defined him:
- Ya Ali – Gangster (2006)
- Dil Tu Hi Bataa – Krrish 3 (2013)
- Piya Re Piya Re – Milan Talkies (2019)
- Kaabil Hoon – Kaabil (2017)
- Lo Maan Liya – Raaz: Reboot (2016)
- Aao Na – Khakee (2004)
- Khwab Dekhe – Zindagi Tere Naam (2008)
And then, of course, were his Assamese classics: “Mayabini Ratir Bukut”, “Tumi Mor Prem”, tracks that made you feel at home, though you were far, far away.
When he uttered, “Ya Ali, Ya Ali, Ya Ali, Ya Ali”, it was not only a song, it bears witness to the fact that it was a feeling, a beat, a pulse of love and reverence that were immediately attuned to by millions. His voice did not only strike the notes; it retold stories, sometimes better than words ever could.
The Heartbeat of a Generation
For those of us who were raised in the 90s and early 2000s, Zubeen Garg’s music was never optional; it was a necessity. He was there for our initial heartbreaks, first crushes, and first nights of total freedom, singing in the background as we danced, cried, or drove around with no place to be. (Image courtesy: thgim)
His songs were imbued with a peculiar honesty and warmth. There was no pretence, no glittery cover-up, just raw emotion. From Gangster to Krrish, from Assamese albums to regional gems, his songs spoke to people regardless of language or age. Thousands stood on the streets of Assam to offer their last respects, and on social media, people shared incidents of Zubeen being the friend who always knew, the singer who always had the words for what you felt but couldn’t express.
A Life in Lyrics
We can’t discuss Zubeen without recalling the lines he sang. (Image courtesy: guwahatiplus)
- “Dil tu hi bataa, ab kya hai mera” – Krrish 3
- “Piya re piya re, aaja piya” – Milan Talkies
- “Lo maan liya, phir bhi hai yeh judaai” – Raaz: Reboot
Every line was intimate, warm, and real, as if he was telling the tale of your own life and leaving you a small gift of melody. He didn’t sing songs; he expressed emotions.
Young Souls Gone Too Soon
The untimely passing of Zubeen Garg serves as a harsh reminder that some of the most talented musical voices depart much too soon. India has lost a number of young singers whose voices still had so much to contribute. Some of the notable ones include: (Image courtesy: eastindiastory)
- K.K. (Krishnakumar Kunnath), who died in 2022 at 53, leaving behind eternally beautiful melodies;
- Sidhu Moose Wala, a Punjabi megastar taken away at a mere 28;
- Wajid Khan, a talented music composer and singer who passed away in 2020 at the age of 42
- MC Tod Fod, a young hip-hop sensation who perished in 2022 at the tender age of 24.
Others such as Amar Singh Chamkila, who was assassinated at 28, and Aadesh Shrivastava, who fought cancer until 2015 at the age of 51, make us realize that talent is usually short-lived, and the music industry is again deprived of its gems way too soon.
Zubeen joins this tragic roll call now, a shining spirit whose song ended much too soon, leaving listeners weeping, remembering, and dancing to the enchantment he spun. We at engage4more also deeply sense the loss of such a talented artist and the void his passing leaves in the hearts of millions.
The Legacy That Will Endure
Zubeen Garg’s legacy cannot be measured. More than 38,000 songs in over 40 languages, yet every one of them seemed to be written just for you. Above and beyond Bollywood, above and beyond Assamese music, he was a guide, a weaver of tales, and an enthusiast. (Image courtesy: mathrubhumi)
His posthumous movie Chakra will reveal another side of him, the actor, the director, the artist whose imagination had no limits. And for his fans, whenever we listen to his songs, we keep a piece of him alive with us. Because some voices are too clean, too emotional, to ever truly die.
A Gem Gone Too Soon
Zubeen Garg was more than a singer. He was our friend, our confidant, our emotional soundtrack. He is gone, and it feels like losing part of our youth, but it is simple to celebrate him, because his music surrounds us. In every line we whistle, in every melody that catches a chord, he is still there. (Image courtesy: scroll)
“Ya Ali… Ya Ali… Ya Ali”.
Yes, Zubeen. We will always listen. We will always sense you. And for that, we will forever be thankful.
