Tributes and Gatherings Ahead of Asha Bhosle's Funeral
Crowds are assembling ahead of the funeral as tributes continue to pour in for Bollywood singing legend Asha Bhosle, who passed away at the age of 92.
The two-time Grammy nominee, whose career spanned nearly eight decades and included thousands of recordings, died in Mumbai on Sunday after being admitted to hospital following a heart attack.
Her last rites will be held on Monday evening at Shivaji Park in Mumbai city, with full state honours.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from across India and beyond, with political leaders, musicians, actors, and fans remembering her as one of the defining voices of Indian cinema.
Since Sunday evening, crowds have been gathering outside Bhosle's home in Mumbai to pay their last respects to the singer.
National Leaders and Celebrities Pay Tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Bhosle as "one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known," while President Draupadi Murmu called her death "an irreparable loss to music lovers."
Leading figures from the film industry and sports, including Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, also paid tribute, reflecting the breadth of her influence across generations.
Khan wrote that Bhosle was "a talent that will outlive many" and that her "voice has been one of the pillars of Indian cinema and will continue to resonate world over for centuries to come."
Cricketer Tendulkar, who knew her personally, said "Asha Tai [Marathi for elder sister] was family" and that "through her eternal songs, she will remain timeless."
A passionate cricket fan, Bhosle was also honoured on the field. During an Indian Premier League match on Sunday, Mumbai Indians players wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence.
Composer AR Rahman wrote that "she lives forever through her voice and aura -what an artist."
Singer Shreya Ghosal recalled growing up "listening to her, learning from her, and being in awe of her effortless versatility," adding that she made "every note feel alive, every emotion feel personal."
Singer-actor Farhan Akhtar said it was "impossible to talk about playback singing without mentioning Asha Bhosle," calling her voice, joy and energy "irreplaceable."
Legacy and Influence
The tributes reflect the scale of her influence. With a voice that moved easily from romantic ballads to high-energy numbers, she became the preferred singer for composers across genres and generations.
Her strong presence in Bollywood inspired the 1997 Cornershop hit "Brimful of Asha." On Sunday, Tjinder Singh of Cornershop said that "few have reached the ability to be loved in so many languages and dialects, and even fewer have reached so many with the astonishment of heart that her songs gave us."
Early Life and Career
Born in 1933 into a family of musicians, she began singing as a child alongside her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, after their father's death.
Her personal life was marked by early challenges. She married at 16, in a relationship that later ended.
Throughout her career, she was often compared to her elder sister—revered as the "nightingale" of Bollywood who died in 2022—but Bhosle established a distinct identity.
While her elder sister became known for more poignant songs, Bhosle was associated, especially in her earlier career, with bold, jazzy, and cabaret-style numbers.
Her rise began in the 1950s during her collaboration with composer OP Nayyar, which marked a turning point in her career.
She later worked closely with RD Burman, whom she married. The two were together for 14 years until Burman died in 1994, a partnership that helped expand the range and experimentation in her singing.
Later Years and Collaborations
Even in her later years, she continued to sing and experiment. Bhosle collaborated with the British virtual band Gorillaz on their 2026 album The Mountain, which explored themes of grief and mortality.
The track, "The Shadowy Light," paired her voice with international musicians in a song reflecting on death and the afterlife.
Personal Interests and Ventures
Away from music, she was known for her love of cooking. Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar said in a television interview on Sunday that she would often prepare kebabs for him, taking particular pleasure when he praised her food.
She was also the creative force behind the restaurant chain "Asha's," with outlets in Dubai and the UK.
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