Asha Bhosle (1933 - 2026): Melodic sound of Bollywood fades out

Monday 13 April, 2026 | 12:58 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

MUMBAI: Asha Bhosle (92), the legendary playback singer who enthralled India with her mesmeric voice, is no more. Asha, the sister of India's legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, won the hearts of the people by experimenting with different genres in music, unlike her predecessors. The country honoured her with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. She passed away yesterday at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital.

In a musical journey spanning over eight decades, she sang more than 12,000 songs in more than 20 languages. This includes the song 'Swayamvara Shubhadina Mangalamangal' from the 1977 Malayalam film Sujatha and more than a thousand Bollywood songs. She sang more than 80 songs with Lata Mangeshkar.

Asha was admitted to the hospital on Saturday after suffering from a lung infection and fatigue. On Saturday, she breathed her last after her organs failed to respond.

The body was taken to her residence in Lower Parel, Mumbai. Public viewing will be held from 11 am today. The cremation will be held at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, at 4 pm with full state honours. Children: Hemant, Varsha, and Anand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also expressed their condolences.

Asha is the third of five children of actor and singer Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanthi. Asha is the sibling of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, singer and music director Meena Khadikar, singer Usha Mangeshkar, and music director Hridayanath Mangeshkar.

Biography

1933: Born on September 8 in Sangli, Maharashtra

1943: Debuted in the Marathi film Maza Baal

1948: Debuted in Hindi in the film Chunariyya

1949: Solo Hindi song in Raat Ki Rani

1949: At the age of 16, she married 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, overriding her family's opposition. The couple had three children together.

1960: Separated from Ganpatrao

1966: R.D. Burman's song 'Aaja Aaja' in the film Teesari Manzil became a hit

1980: Married R.D. Burman

1981, 1987: National Award for Female Playback Singer (films: Umrao Jaan, Ijazat)

1994: R.D. Burman passed away

1997: First female playback singer to receive a Grammy nomination (album: Legacy)