Asha Bhosle: Bollywood's sound dies at 92.

 

Asha Bhosle performing in New York in 2008 (Image: AFP)

Asha Bhosle, a legendary Bollywood singer who became a cultural icon, has died aged 92, her son has confirmed.

 The unrivalled queen of Indian playback singing died in Mumbai, having been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

 Her death marks the end of an era in Bollywood music—her career spanned more than eight decades and included more than 12,000 songs—and her passing marks the beginning of a new one. Numerous film songs were given life by Bhosle's distinctive voice, and actors lip-synced to her unforgettable songs. Brimful of Asha, a 1997 hit Cornershop tribute, and a collaboration with British musician Boy George made her well-known internationally for her pervasive presence in Bollywood.

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Her voice had an infectious quality that kept fans on their feet, dancing and singing along, ensuring that her music became the soundtrack to generations.

 Social media has seen a flood of tributes following the news of her passing.

She was described as "one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He wrote about her "extraordinary musical journey" in a post on X, noting that it "touched countless hearts across the world" and added to the nation's cultural heritage. Hema Malini, an actor and politician, expressed her grief by stating that the singer's death "is especially hard for me as I have an emotional connect with Ashaji - she has made many of my songs so popular with her unique voice and style." Malini was a vocal supporter of the singer. "Every Indian is heartbroken today," the composer Shankar Mahadevan said, adding that her music would "never perish as long as humanity exists" and that "her incredible voice would echo across the world" forever. The tributes show that Bhosle's remarkable artistic talent is more widely recognized. With a voice that moved effortlessly from romantic ballads to energetic numbers, she became the go-to singer for composers across genres.

 She made every song a celebration with her range and vitality, defining the sound of Bollywood for generations. Her versatility was limitless, appearing in everything from Dum Maro Dum and Piya Tu Ab To Aaja to Mehndi Hai Rachnewali. Films such as Teesri Manzil, Caravan, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Ijaazat and Saagar featured some of her most memorable work, while Umrao Jaan, composed by Khayyam, is widely regarded as a career high point.

Bhosle carved her own musical path distinct from her sister Lata Mangeshkar (right)(Image: AFP)

While Mangeshkar embodied classical grace and precision, Bhosle brought a bold, dynamic energy to her songs.

 Bhosle's partnership with composer RD Burman (whom she later married) was one of the most iconic collaborations in Bollywood - together they crafted a soundscape that revolutionised the industry.

 Her voice was perfect for Burman's experimental, eclectic music, which led to a lot of hits across genres, from upbeat songs to soulful melodies. Bhosle and Burman built an extraordinary musical legacy together over 25 years, with Asha once recalling how he brought out the best in her.

 "My range as a singer has only been discovered by Pancham, as Burman was fondly known. Until Pancham forced me to investigate the depths of my own voice... In a 2023 interview, Bhosle stated, "I was totally unaware of the fact that I could sing with such suppleness of throat."

Bhosle and Burman built an extraordinary musical legacy together over 25 years (Net)

Born on 8 September 1933 in Goar, Maharashtra, Bhosle hailed from the renowned Mangeshkar family.

 Raised in a musically rich home by her actor and classical singer father, Deenanath Mangeshkar, Asha began her musical journey early, singing her first song for the Marathi film Majha Bal in 1943.

Her career soared in the 50s and 60s as she became a versatile artist across genres - performing for films, ghazals, bhajans, qawwalis and pop. Collaborations with OP Nayyar, Burman and SD Burman made her a household name.

Hits like Aaiye Meherbaan (1958), Parde Mein Rehne Do (1968) and Dum Maro Dum (1971) are just a few highlights of her vast repertoire.

Her duets with legends such as Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey remain timeless classics.

Bhosle's personal life was as vibrant as her career. At 16, she eloped with her neighbour, Ganpatrao Bhosle, leading to a tumultuous marriage and separation.

Mangeshkar later recalled that Bhosle's husband isolated her from the family, "preventing contact for years". Ganpatrao also took her to music directors, hoping to profit from her talent and exerting control over her, causing her great hardship, Mangeshkar told film historian Nasrin Munni Kabir.

Bhosle left her husband in 1960 as a single mother of three children. She later teamed up with Burman, whom she married in 1980. Burman died in 1994 at the age of 54.

Despite the sisters living in the same building and sharing a cordial relationship, some claim Mangeshkar hindered Bhosle's career, with Bhosle herself once suggesting she could have risen "earlier than I did" with her sister's help.

 Mangeshkar attributed their silence to the influence of Bhosle's husband. Many people think the rivalry has been exaggerated, despite the fact that it persists in public perception. In 1971, Bhosle told film writer Raju Bharatan: "After all we'd both inherited... the bounty of music.  Despite the fact that my older sister, or didi, (in Hindi), had a head start, I was still determined to catch up. Bhosle was lauded for her extraordinary capacity to adapt her voice to shifting musical genres. Over the years, she collaborated with a range of international pop artists - in the early 1990s, she teamed up with Boy George and recorded a track with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe.

 Meanwhile, a remix by Fatboy Slim made Cornershop's tribute to her singing even more popular. Bhosle was well-known for her love of cricket, which was one of her favorite pastimes. Her collaboration with Australian cricketer Brett Lee in 2007 was a fun moment, as they teamed up for the song You're the One for Me, which featured during the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Source: BBC