Legendary singer Asha Bhosle passes away at 92

Mumbai: Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle—one of the most prolific voices of Indian cinema who recorded more than 12,000 songs in multiple Indian languages in a career spanning eight decades—passed away in Mumbai on Sunday.

Known for her soprano voice range, Asha Tai’s work includes film music in multiple languages, pop, rock, disco, ghazals, bhajans, cabarets, folk songs, classical music and Rabindra Sangeet.

She was 92.

She is survived by her son Anand Bhosle and her grandchildren.

Her daughter Varsha died by suicide in 2012 while elder son Hemant Bhosle died of cancer in 2015.

On Saturday evening, she was rushed to the Breach Candy Hospital following pulmonary issues and heart attack.

She passed away Sunday morning due to multi-organ failure.

The last rites will be performed with state honours at the historic Shivaji Park at Dadar in Mumbai on Monday evening.

Asha Tai, as she was popularly known, recorded over 12,000 songs in over 20 different Indian and foreign languages, has collaborated with top music directors, music composers and playback singers.

In 2011, the Guinness World Records acknowledged her in 2011 as the most recorded artist in music history.

From the sensuous energy of “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” in Caravan to the rebellious charm of “Dum Maro Dum” in Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Asha’s voice became synonymous with bold and experimental music in the 1970s. She continued her golden run with the romantic classic “Chura Liya Hai Tumne” from Yaadon Ki Baaraat and the electrifying “Yeh Mera Dil” in Don.

In the 1980s, she displayed a different depth with her hauntingly beautiful ghazals like “In Aankhon Ki Masti” and “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” from Umrao Jaan, followed by the deeply evocative “Mera Kuch Samaan” in Ijaazat. Even in later decades, Asha reinvented herself effortlessly—capturing youthful exuberance in “Rangeela Re” from Rangeela and lending classical grace to “Radha Kaise Na Jale” in Lagaan.

Known for her distinct voice and unique singing style, she won several awards and honours, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the coveted Maharashtra Bhushan Award and Bang Vibhushan Award.

The Mangeshkar sisters - late Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Khadilkar and brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar have dominated the Hindi and Marathi music industry for several decades.

Born on 8 September 1933 in the small hamlet of Goar in Sangli district of Maharashtra to Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti, she had made humble beginnings and came a long way to become the iconic star. She was just nine when her father died.

At the age of 16, married 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, her personal secretary against her family's wishes, however, they separated in 1960.

Later she married legendary music director Rahul Dev Burman. RD, as he was known, passed away on 4 January 1994.

She was a seven-time winner of the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer Award and a two-time winner of the National Film Award- for Dil Cheez Kya Hai from Umrao Jaan and Mera Kuch Saamaan from Ijaazat.