India's Legendary Playback Singing Icon, Asha Bhosle, Dies At 92

Veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on Sunday, April 12, following a cardiac arrest and pulmonary complications.

Veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on Sunday, April 12, following a cardiac arrest and pulmonary complications. Her son Anand Bhosle confirmed the news of her death and said, "She is no more. Her last rites will be held at 4 P.M. tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai,'' as per NDTV. Earlier today, news agency PTI reported that the legendary singer remained in critical condition after she hospitalised in South Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday.

Her granddaughter Zanai took to Instagram to share details about Bhosle's health on April 11. "My grandmother, Asha Bhosle due to extreme exhaustion and suffering a chest infection has been admitted to hospital and we request you to value our privacy. Treatment is ongoing and hopefully everything will be well and we shall update you positively," she wrote.

Bhosle, the younger sister of the late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, has recorded over 12,500 songs in different languages over a career spanning eight decades, lending her voice to leading ladies from Meena Kumari, Madhubala and Zeenat Aman to Kajol, Urmila Matondkar and South stars like Padmini and Vyjayanthimala. Among her top chartbuster songs are "Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar", "In Ankhon Ki Masti", "Dil Cheez Kya Hai", "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja", "Duniya Mein Logon Ko" and "Zaara Se Jhoom Loon Main".

While her elder sister Lata was the go-to choice for music director Madan Mohan, the master of melody and ghazals, Asha was equally accomplished in that genre, and is still remembered for her ghazals in "Umrao Jaan". She won a National Film award for the movie. In 2023, she performed at a special concert, 'ASHA@90: Live in concert', in Dubai to celebrate her 90th birthday. Her first song was in 1943 at the age of 10 for the Marathi film "Majha Bal".