Mumbai: Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest, marking the end of an era in Indian music.
According to reports, the veteran singer was rushed to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday following a cardiac emergency. She later died at the hospital. Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar announced the sad news.
Her mortal remains will be kept at her residence from 11 am to 3 pm, while the last rites are scheduled to take place at Shivaji Park at 4 pm.
Asha Bhosle was among the most celebrated voices in Indian playback singing. Born on September 8, 1933, she began her career at a young age and went on to record thousands of songs across multiple languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati.
Over a career spanning several decades, she received numerous honours, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Vibhushan, in recognition of her immense contribution to Indian music.
Her vast repertoire includes timeless songs such as “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja,” “Dum Maaro Dum,” “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko,” “Jhumka Gira Re,” “Yeh Mera Dil,” and “Dil Cheez Kya Hai,” which continue to resonate with audiences.
In a past interaction after turning 92, she had expressed gratitude to her supporters in an interview with ETimes, stating that their encouragement motivated her to continue exploring new dimensions of music.
Her personal life also reflected resilience. She married Ganpatrao Bhosle at a young age, though the relationship ended early. Later, she found companionship and creative partnership with composer Rahul Dev Burman, with whom she shared one of the most iconic collaborations in Indian film music.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Asha Bhosle, saying she was one of the most iconic and versatile voices India had ever known.
“From soulful melodies to spirited compositions, her voice carried a timeless brilliance. I will forever cherish the memories of my conversations with her,” he said in a post on X.
