Asha Bhosle, one of the most celebrated Indian singers of all time and one the most versatile Bollywood artists, has died.
Asha Bhosle, a cultural icon and one of the most celebrated Indian singers of all time, has died aged 92.
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Her family confirmed the news yesterday, saying she died after being admitted to hospital in Mumbai after suffering from extreme exhaustion and a chest infection.
Born in Goar, Maharashtra, on 8 September 1933, Bhosle began recording music by the time she was 10. Her talents led her to become Bollywood’s go-to voice in the 50s and 60s, leading to her moniker “Sadi rani” (“our queen”). She became synonymous with Bollywood playback singing – where she would record the tracks that actors would later lip-sync on film.
Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs and gained international fame by recording with artists like Boy George (on the 1991 track ‘Bow Down Mister’) and Gorillaz (on their 2026 album ‘The Mountain’). She was also the inspiration for Cornershop’s 1997 song ‘Brimful Of Asha’ - which became a huge Number One hit in the UK after a remix by Fatboy Slim.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Bhosle, calling her "one of the most iconic and versatile voices India has ever known.”
“I am deeply saddened” by her passing,” wrote Modi. “Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world,” he said. “She will continue to inspire generations and her songs will forever echo in people’s lives.”
Oscar winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman also honoured her with an Instagram post that read: “She lives forever with her voice and aura… What an artist.”
As well as leaving an indelible mark on Bollywood cinema and the world of music, Bhosle received two Grammy nominations and was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke prize in 2000.
