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After Zubeen Garg’s death, Assam banned Shyamkanu Mahanta and his firms from events, sponsorships and grants in the state.
Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore while scuba diving.
In the wake of the sudden death of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg during the North East India Festival in Singapore, the Assam government penalised the festival’s organiser, Shyamkanu Mahanta, barring him from holding events in the state and blacklisting him from sponsorships and advertisements.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision, saying, “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 government will not provide any financial grant, advertisement, or sponsorship to any event with which he is associated, either directly or indirectly. The state government will also request the Government of India not to extend any financial assistance or sponsorship to him in any manner.”
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Shyamkanu Mahanta is the Chief Functionary of Trend MMS Private Limited, which has organised exhibitions and cultural festivals such as the North East India Festival in Singapore, as well as similar events in Thailand, Vietnam and New Delhi. He is also listed as a director in several other companies.
The Singapore event, held under the banner of the Ministry of External Affairs and the High Commission of India in Singapore, had brought Zubeen Garg as a “cultural ambassador” to perform. However, tragedy struck on September 20 when the singer reportedly developed breathing difficulties while swimming during a yacht outing. Singapore authorities listed the cause of death as drowning.
In a statement following the incident, the festival’s organising team distanced itself, saying it had no role in Zubeen Garg’s yacht outing.
“Our entire team was engaged in a business meeting with senior Singaporean industrialists and policymakers to facilitate investments in Northeast India. During the meeting, we received a call from Zubeen’s manager informing us that he had met with an accident and had been rushed to Singapore General Hospital. We later learned that a few members of the local Assamese community had taken him on a yacht visit, of which we had no prior knowledge,” the statement read.
Assam, India, India
September 24, 2025, 22:11 IST
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