Veteran Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle died in Mumbai on Sunday, a day after being hospitalized for a chest infection. She was 92.
Bhosle’s granddaughter Zanai Bhosle posted on X Saturday asking for privacy, saying her grandmother had been admitted due to extreme exhaustion and a chest infection and that treatment was ongoing. Amid rumors of a cardiac arrest, the family sought to keep fans informed while protecting privacy.
Bhosle’s doctor, Dr Pratit Samdani, later confirmed her death, saying she had passed away due to multi-organ failure. Her son Anand Bhosle told reporters arrangements had been made for her last rites: the public could pay respects at 11 a.m. the next day at Casa Grande, Lower Parel, where she lived, and her last rites would be performed at 4 p.m. at Shivaji Park.
Born in Sangli, Maharashtra, Bhosle became one of Indian cinema’s most popular playback voices. She began her recording career in the late 1950s and remained prominent through the 1980s and beyond. In 2011 she was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-recorded artist in music history, with more than 11,000 songs.
Her honors included the Padma Vibhushan, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and two National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer. Some widely known songs include “Abhi na jao chod kar,” “Chura liya hai tumne jo dilko,” “Dum maro dum,” “Jawan jaaneman” and “Jhumka gira re.”
Often called “Asha Tai” (elder sister), she was celebrated for her versatility and for bringing a bold, cabaret-influenced style to many Bollywood numbers, creating a distinct identity apart from her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, another legendary playback singer who also died at 92.
Tributes poured in from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her as “one of the most iconic and versatile voices” of India and shared memories of their meetings. Maharashtra’s chief minister recalled a light-hearted moment when Bhosle made him sing “Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar” at a World Radio Day event, saying it was hard to believe she would no longer be with them.
Edited by: Karl Sexton
