The passing of legendary Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle over the weekend has led an outpouring of feeling from the Indian film and TV industry, with Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Karan Johar among those paying tribute.
Bhosle died on Sunday aged 92 after suffering a heart attack, and huge crowds are gathering ahead of a her funeral, which takes place this evening in Mumbai, India, at Shivaji Park. She will be given full state honors for her contributions to music and Bollywood film.
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Considered among the defining voices of Bollywood soundtracks, Bhosle’s career spanned nearly 80 years and saw her record thousands of songs – many of which became synonymous with major musical feature films.
Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan was among those paying tribute, posting a picture of the two together on an Instagram story. “It’s truly sad to learn about Asha Tai’s passing, her voice has been one of the pillars of Indian cinema and will continue to resonate world over for centuries to come,” he wrote. “A talent that will outlive many, she always showered me with blessings and love and I will miss her. Rest in Peace Asha Tai. Love you.”
A.R. Rahman, who has scored dozens of Indian films and TV shows, posted Bhosle “lives forever with her aura and voice,” while producer and TV host Karan Johar wrote: “To say we have lost a legend today would be an understatement. Asha ji was unlike any other, a voice that defined not only one generation but across a span of cinematic universe! I was and have been the massive fan of her voice, her art, her personality.”
Writing on his personal blog, Kalki 2898 AD star Amitabh Bachchan wrote: “Sorrow and grief.. An entire era… an incredible… a phenominal [sic], astounding, prodigious , presence… lost yesterday. The iconic, legendary Asha Bhosle ji has left us in immense grief.”
He praised her “versatility in giving life to every song she gave voice to” and wrote she had “left us an entire encyclopaedia of eternal music… The body has left us but her soul shall remain forever with us.”
As crowds continue to grow ahead of Bhosle’s funeral and outside her home , major names from across India have joined the industry names in paying tribute.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called her “one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known,” while cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who shared a close relationship with Bhosle, wrote, “through her eternal songs, she will remain timeless.” Indian Premier League team the Mumbai Indians wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence to commemorate her yesterday evening.
According to the Hindu newspaper, Bhosle recorded more than 12,500 songs in various languages, including “Yeh Mera Dil,” “Tanha Tanha” and “Dum Maro Dum.”
Bhosle’s breakout came in B.R. Chopra’s Naya Daur (1957), singing several songs composed by the director. She was also known for her songs in Chopra’s films Gumrah (1963), Waqt (1965), Hamraaz (1967) and Dhund (1973).
The singer also began a longtime collaboration with R.D. Burman, whom she later married in 1980, after first working together on 1958’s Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi.
As an actress, she made her onscreen debut in Badi Maa (1945), appearing in several other films over the years.
Bhosle was honored multiple times over her career, including at India’s National Film Awards, BFJA Awards, Maharastra State Film Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Filmfare Awards, as well as a 2011 Guinness World Record for being the most recorded artist in music history.
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