Asha Bhosle dies at 92; last rites to be held at Shivaji Park on Monday

Mumbai — Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away on Sunday at the age of 92 in Mumbai. She had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital a day earlier. Maharashtra’s Culture Minister Ashish Shelar confirmed the news outside the hospital. Her last rites will take place at Shivaji Park on Monday at 4:00 pm.

A day before her passing, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle had shared that the singer was hospitalised due to extreme exhaustion and a chest infection. In an Instagram post, she requested privacy for the family, adding that treatment was ongoing and they were hopeful of a positive update.

A towering figure in Indian music, Asha Bhosle began her playback career with the 1943 Marathi film Majha Bal. Over the decades, she lent her voice to countless iconic songs, including Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani, O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan, and Ye Ladka Hai Allah. She sang in nearly 20 Indian and international languages, showcasing remarkable versatility.

In 2006, the singer revealed she had recorded close to 12,000 songs. Her long and illustrious career saw collaborations with celebrated composers such as Shankar–Jaikishan, R.D. Burman, O.P. Nayyar, Ilaiyaraaja, Bappi Lahiri, and A.R. Rahman.

For her immense contribution to Indian music, she received several prestigious honours, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

With inputs from IANS