Famous playback singer Asha Bhosle passes away at 92

MUMBAI: Famous playback singer Asha Bhosle (92) passed away Sunday afternoon. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai following a heart attack. The singer, who had been battling several health issues for the past few months, suffered a heart attack Saturday evening. Asha Bhosle has become a favorite of music lovers with countless hit songs like Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Jaiye Aap Kahan Jaiye Gangam, Rangeela Re, and Sharara Sharara.

Her son Anand Bhosle confirmed the news of her death and said, ‘She is no more. Her last rites will be held tomorrow at 4 pm at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.’

Asha was born to Deenanth Mangeshkar, a Maratha theatre singer and Shudhamath in 1933 at Indore to a Konkani family. Her siblings are Lata Mangeshkar, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar. Despite her family's opposition, she married 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle at the age of 16. She had three children with him. She later divorced him and married music composer R D Burman.

Two of her children had died. Her daughter Varsha committed suicide in 2012 and her elder son Hemant died of cancer in 2015. Her youngest child, Anand is the only surviving child of the three.

She made her film debut with the song Chala Chala Nav Bala in the film 'Maajha Baal'. She was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 for her contribution to the Indian film industry, Padma Vibhushan in 2008, Banga Bibhushan (Bengal's highest honour) in 2018 and Maharashtra Bhushan in 2021.