The golden era of Indian playback music has come to a poignant close with the passing of legendary singer Asha Bhosle.

The veteran artist, whose versatile voice defined the soundtrack of Indian cinema for over eight decades, died in Mumbai on Sunday at the age of 92.

Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news, stating that her last rites are scheduled to be held at Shivagee Park in Mumbai at 4 pm on Monday.

Asha Bhosle was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on April 11 after experiencing extreme exhaustion and a persistent chest infection.

Her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle had earlier shared that the singer was receiving medical care before her condition deteriorated on Sunday.

Born in 1933 into the illustrious Mangeshkar musical family, Asha began her journey at just 10 years old with the Marathi film Majha Bal (1943).

While she was initially celebrated for high-energy dance numbers like "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" and "Kajra Mohabbat Wala", she later stunned critics with her mastery of soulful ghazals, most notably in Umrao Jaan.

Throughout her career, she provided the singing voice for icons spanning multiple generations, from Sharmila Tagore and Rekha to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Her collaboration with her late husband, legendary composer Rahul Dev Burman (RD Burman), remains one of the most celebrated creative partnerships in the history of the Indian music industry.

The younger sister of the late Lata Mangeshkar, Asha carved a distinct and formidable identity that transcended frequent comparisons.

Her immense contribution to arts and culture was recognized with India's highest honors:

National Film Awards: Best Playback Singer for Umrao Jaan (1981) and Ijaazat (1988)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2000): India's highest award in cinema
Padma Vibhushan (2008): India's second-highest civilian honor

Even in her 90s, the "Queen of Indipop" remained vibrant, celebrating her 90th birthday with a live concert in Dubai in 2023.

She is survived by her son, Anand Bhosle, and a global community of fans who mourn the loss of a voice that truly knew no boundaries.

Source: NDTV