Zubeen Garg’s old interview resurfaces: Late singer spoke about musical icons, dreamed of collaborating with AR Rahman and…

Zubeen Garg’s music had a way of slipping into people’s lives without warning, the kind of voice that carried more than melody. It carried emotion, memory and identity. Long before the controversies and unanswered questions surrounding his tragic death, the singer spoke openly about what shaped him as an artist. One such old interview, now resurfacing online, offers a revealing look into the mind of a man who lived and breathed music far beyond commercial success.

Which composers deeply influenced Zubeen Garg?
In the reflective conversation, the ‘Ya Ali’ hitmaker spoke with rare honesty about the icons who shaped his musical journey. He referred to several legendary India(BHARAT)n composers as the backbone of his style, men whose work he studied, respected and carried forward in his own compositions. These weren’t casual mentions; he described them as pillars of his musical growth and inspirations he wished to collaborate with someday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSw1wRRdl20&t=2s

Zubeen didn’t just admire the classical and golden-era voices; he appreciated modern creators too. He openly spoke about Himesh Reshammiya, saying their collaborations produced songs that were “really great.” His tone in the interview made one thing clear: he admired any musician who made honest, heartfelt music, whether they belonged to old-school Bombay studios or the newer, more experimental world.

How did he keep the balance between tradition and modernity?
Garg’s vision of music was a blend of nostalgia and evolution. In his words and tone, there was a deep reverence for the roots of India(BHARAT)n music — the kind of melodies that shaped entire generations. At the same time, he embraced the changing soundscape, welcoming modern arrangements and new-age compositions into his work. His artistic choices were proof that he was never stuck in time; instead, he traversed it with ease.
A telling example of this was his tribute to RD Burman, where he recreated the classic “Chadhti Jawani” from Teesri Manzil. The original track, featuring legends Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, was a piece of history, and Zubeen treated it with care, offering his own homage without losing its soul.

What do we know about his tragic death?
Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025, and the circumstances surrounding his death have sparked intense speculation. Initial reports suggested a swimming accident, but contradictions began emerging quickly. His bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami alleged the singer had aspirated water and was showing signs of poisoning, including frothing at the mouth and struggling to breathe.
With growing confusion, the Assam government stepped in. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged caution, saying clarity can only emerge after viscera tests and supporting evidence. A formal inquiry commission headed by a sitting High Court judge was established, signalling the seriousness of the case. At least four people have been detained, and the charges have escalated from negligence to murder.

Despite the storm that now surrounds his passing, the memories he left behind remind fans of who he truly was: a man of dreams, of melodies, of deep artistic intent.

Highlights

1. Zubeen Garg admired musical legends and hoped to collaborate with them.
2. His death in Singapore sparked allegations of poisoning and a major inquiry.
3. Assam government formed a high-level commission to investigate the case.