Her melodies will echo forever: Political leaders pay tribute to Asha Bhosle

Leaders across party lines hailed Asha Bhosle as India's "melody queen", an irreplaceable voice whose songs united generations, as tributes poured in after her death.

In Short

• Asha Bhosle died due to multi-organ failure at Breach Candy Hospital
• She sang in multiple languages including Hindi, Marathi and Bengali
• Political leaders paid tribute to her iconic voice and versatility

Asha Bhosle, the legendary playback singer whose versatile voice defined generations of music, died on Sunday at 92, doctors said.

Bhosle was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday evening and died of multi-organ failure, according to a doctor.

Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders remembering her as one of India’s most iconic voices.

"The passing of India’s melody queen, Asha Bhosle ji, is extremely painful for me," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X. "As a playback singer, she lent her voice to thousands of films and music albums. Generations of Indians have listened to and hummed her songs."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "profoundly saddened" by the death of the "great musical genius". Bhosle "reigned over our hearts for generations" and remained hugely popular in Bengal, she added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called Asha Bhosle’s death "extremely heartbreaking" and "an irreplaceable loss to the world of art", saying her melodies would "forever resonate in the hearts of the people."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said her passing marked "another star" lost from the Mangeshkar family, after the death of her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar in 2022. He described Asha Bhosle’s voice as "the soul of music" and praised her ability to move effortlessly across genres, from devotional songs and classical music to pop and film tracks.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said he shared "a familial bond" with Asha Bhosle. He added that films such as Naya Daur, Teesri Manzil, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Umrao Jaan, Ijaazat, and Rangeela were "rendered immortal by Asha ji through her voice".

ASHA BHOSLE: A MUSICAL LIFE

Born on September 8, 1935, in Maharashtra’s Sangli, Asha Tai, as she was affectionately known, was trained in music by her father, Dinanath Mangeshkar. She began singing at age 10 and went on to record more than 12,000 songs over a career spanning eight decades.

Her repertoire cut across languages and styles, including Hindi, Marathi and Bengali songs, as well as ghazals, folk, and Rabindra Sangeet. Among her most popular songs are Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar, In Ankhon Ki Masti, Dil Cheez Kya Hai, Piya Tu Ab to Aaja, Duniya Mein Logon Ko, and Zaara Se Jhoom Loon Main, to name a few.

Over the course of her career, she received numerous honours, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and multiple National Film Awards.

Her son, Anand Bhosle, said the last rites will be held on Monday.

"People can pay their last respects to her at 11 am tomorrow at Casa Grande, Lower Parel, where she lived. Her last rites will be performed at 4 pm tomorrow at Shivaji Park," he told reporters.

- Ends