Mumbai, 12 Apr (HS): Legendary and most

versatile singer Asha Bhosle passed away on Sunday morning at Mumbai’s Breach

Candy Hospital. She was hospitalised around 4 pm on Saturday following respiratory

issues and uneasiness. She also suffered from a heart attack. She was 92. With

the death of Asha Bhosle an era of versatile singing ended.

Her son Anand Bhosle confirmed her death and

stated that the body will be kept at her residence in Lower Parel between 11 am

and 2 pm on Monday for paying last tributes. The last rites will be performed at

4 pm at Shivaji Park.

Asha Bhosle sang more than 12,000 songs in

almost all Indian languages, mostly Hindi and Marathi. Her stage performance in

Dubai in 2023 to celebrate her 90th birthday, probably was her last

public performance.

Born in Sangli on September 8, 1933 to

renowned singer of his time Dinanath Mangeshkar, she was younger sister of Melody

Queen Lata Mangeshkar, and third of five siblings – Lata Meena Khadikar, Asha,

Usha and Hridaynath Mangeshkar. She lost her father when she was just nine

years of age.

Battling difficult situation at home, she along

with elder sister Lata started singing at a very young age to support their

family. She sang her first song for a film in 1950 and never looked back.

Besides Hindi and Marathi she sang songs in Bangla, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil,

Telugu and other languages. Music composers O P Nayyar and R D Burman and Asha

Bhosle was a terrify combination. From classical, ghazal, pop, cabaret to

romantic songs Asha Bhosle demonstrated her versatility and left a long lasting

impression.

Besides second higher civilian award in India,

Padma Vibhushan, she was honoured with a large number of awards. Although Asha

Bhosle as an individual died on Sunday, her songs are immortal and will be remembered

for the generations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar