Asha Bhosle passes away at 92 in Mumbai

Veteran Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle, whose remarkable voice shaped generations of music lovers, has died in Mumbai at the age of 92.

Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news, stating that her last rites will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

Family sources said she had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on April 11 after suffering from severe exhaustion and a chest infection.

Spanning more than eight decades, Bhosle’s career remains one of the most versatile in Indian music history. She is remembered for timeless songs such as “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja,” “Kajra Mohabbat Wala,” “Rangeela Re,” and “Dil Cheez Kya Hai.” She began her playback career at just 10 years old with a Marathi film song and went on to become a defining voice in Indian cinema.

Although she was initially known for upbeat and dance numbers, she later earned critical acclaim for her performances in ghazals and classical-based songs, especially in films like Umrao Jaan and Ijaazat.

The younger sister of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, Bhosle belonged to the iconic Mangeshkar family, which includes Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar, and Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

Throughout her career, she lent her voice to leading actresses across generations, including Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Rekha, Urmila Matondkar, Karisma Kapoor, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Her achievements include the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. She also won two National Film Awards for her work in Umrao Jaan (1981) and Ijaazat (1988).

Even in her later years, Bhosle remained active, performing in concerts and engaging with fans. She recorded her last Hindi film song in 2022 and released a single at the age of 91. In 2023, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a live concert in Dubai, famously describing music as her “breath.”

Bhosle was first married to Ganpatrao Bhosle, with whom she had three children. After their separation, she married renowned composer Rahul Dev Burman.

She is survived by her son, Anand Bhosle.