Asha Bhosle, Legendary Bollywood Singer, Dies at 92

Renowned Indian singer Asha Bhosle, whose voice graced hundreds of Bollywood films and resonated globally, has died at the age of 92.

Bhosle passed away on Sunday due to multiple organ failure at a Mumbai hospital, according to the Associated Press. Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed that her last rites were performed on Monday.

"Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media. "Be it her soulful melodies or vibrant compositions, her voice carried timeless brilliance."

One of India’s most popular and versatile “playback singers,” Bhosle is credited with recording over 12,000 songs across eight decades. Born into the famed Mangeshkar musical dynasty, her older sister was Lata Mangeshkar, dubbed India’s “Queen of Melody,” who also became a renowned playback singer. Mangeshkar passed away in 2022, also at the age of 92.

Bhosle is perhaps best known for her musical partnership with composer RD Burman, her longtime collaborator and later her husband. Together, the pair recorded Bollywood hits such as “Dum Maro Dum” and “Piya Tu Ab To Aja.”

A two-time Grammy nominee, Bhosle gained recognition among Western audiences through collaborations with Boy George (“Bow Down Mister“), Michael Stipe (“The Way You Dream“), and Gorillaz, who featured Bhosle on “The Shadowy Light” from their album The Mountain:

Bhosle also served as the inspiration behind U.K. band Cornershop’s 1997 hit “Brimful of Asha.” Cornershop’s Tjinder Singh wrote on social media, “The world and all-India grieve today. We don’t know whether a candle has gone out or has been lit, such was the stature of Asha Bholse.”

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