Post by : Raman

In the wake of the sudden death of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg during the North East India Festival in Singapore, the Assam government has taken strict action against the festival’s organiser, Shyamkanu Mahanta. The state has barred him from holding events in Assam and blacklisted him from receiving government sponsorships or advertisements.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The state government has decided to prohibit Mahanta and any organisation associated with him from holding any functions or festivals within Assam. Further, the state will not provide financial grants, advertisements, or sponsorships to any event linked with him. We will also request the Government of India not to extend any financial support to him.”

Shyamkanu Mahanta is the chief of Trend MMS Private Limited, which organises cultural festivals and exhibitions in India, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. He is also listed as a director in multiple companies.

The North East India Festival in Singapore, held under the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission, had invited Zubeen Garg as a cultural ambassador to perform. The singer tragically passed away on September 20 after developing breathing difficulties while swimming during a yacht outing. Singapore authorities confirmed the cause of death as drowning.

The festival’s organising team later clarified that they had no role in Zubeen Garg’s yacht outing. “Our team was engaged in business meetings with Singaporean industrialists and policymakers to facilitate investments in Northeast India. We were later informed by Zubeen’s manager that he had an accident and was taken to Singapore General Hospital. Some local Assamese community members had taken him on a yacht visit, which we had no prior knowledge of,” the statement said.

Zubeen Garg’s sudden death has left fans heartbroken and mourning his immense contribution to Assamese music and culture.

Assam, Zubeen Garg, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Festival Ban, Assam Government, North East India Festival