Asha Bhosle, legendary singer and voice of Bollywood for decades, dies at 92

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, considered one of the greatest vocalists in modern Indian music, has died at the age of 92. The singer was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital on Saturday after she experienced cardiac and respiratory issues. Sources told HT that the singer had not been keeping well for the last few months and was brought to the hospital in a critical state. She was admitted to the ICU on Saturday night.

Few artists have left as deep an imprint on Indian cinema as Asha Bhosle. Born in 1933 into the legendary Mangeshkar family, she stepped into the world of professional singing at just nine years old. Her first playback song came in 1943, and by the 1950s she had already begun shaping her own identity in Bollywood’s bustling music scene.
Though early on she was often chosen for cabaret numbers and dance tracks—the kind of songs that would later be called “item songs”—Asha refused to be confined. Her versatility shone through in every genre, from playful duets to soulful ghazals. Her haunting renditions in Umrao Jaan proved she could deliver classical depth with the same ease as pop glamour.
Over the decades, she became one of the most recorded voices in the industry, collaborating with nearly every major composer. Recognition followed: seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and two National Film Awards, for Dil Cheez Kya Hai (Umrao Jaan) and Mera Kuch Saamaan (Ijaazat).
Her career, spanning more than seven decades, stands as a testament to reinvention, resilience, and sheer artistry—making her not just Lata Mangeshkar’s sister, but a towering figure in her own right

• Apr 12, 2026
• No likes
• 9 views