Mumbai, April 15: Renowned Bollywood playback singer Asha Bhosle has passed away at the age of 92. Known as a pioneer of Indian pop and cabaret music during the 1960s and 70s, Asha’s illustrious spanned over eight decades, during which she recorded more than 12,000 songs.
Asha Bhosle’s voice has resonated through every era, genre, and emotion in the Indian music industry. She left an indelible mark, singing everything from cabaret to ghazals, disco to classical music. Some of her most popular songs include ‘Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri’, ‘Dam Maro Dam’, ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’, ‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne’, ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’, and ‘In Aankhon Ki Masti’.
Born into a family deeply rooted in music and theatre, Asha was the daughter of Dinanath Mangeshkar, a Marathi stage actor and Hindustani classical singer. Her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, also became a legendary singer. Asha’s journey in music began at the tender age of 10 when she debuted in Marathi films.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including competition from her sister Lata, Asha’s determination led her to success. She gained recognition with the song ‘Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri’ from the film ‘Naya Daur’ in 1957, which marked a turning point in her .
In her personal life, Asha’s marriage at the age of 16 to Ganpatrao Bhosle, who was significantly older than her, faced many challenges. The marriage, which was against her family’s wishes, ended in divorce in 1960. Despite the tumultuous relationship, Asha retained her surname, having already established her identity in the music world.
Asha Bhosle’s influence extended beyond Indian classical music; she had a profound appreciation for Western jazz and Latin American music. Her love for English films and music, especially the works of Fred Astaire and Carmen Miranda, shaped her artistic style.
As a versatile artist, Asha Bhosle’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, solidifying her place as one of the most iconic voices in Indian music history.