Asha Bhosle Funeral Updates: Legendary artist laid to rest with state honours at Shivaji Park crematorium, celebs offer tributes

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi applauded the state government of Maharashtra for the dignified final procession of the late legendary singer Asha Bhosle.

She further appreciated BMC, Mumbai Police, and the Traffic control for handling the farewell in a respectful manner.

Taking to her official Instagram account, Shabana Azmi wrote, "Appreciation of the #State Govt for the dignity that was accorded to #Ashaji’s goodbye procession . #BMC , the #Mumbai Police , #Traffic Control and all the departments of Maharastra State for handling the momentous task with the respectful farewell an artist of her calibre deserved . Ashaji Amar Rahein."

To understand iconic singer Asha Bhosle’s towering legacy, one must place her within the larger history of Hindi film music, says author Yasser Usman, noting how she not only survived but "thrived" in an era dominated by her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar.

Both sisters began their careers in the 1940s, yet their paths soon diverged. While Mangeshkar rose to instant fame with “Aayega Aanewala”, Bhosle spent years taking on smaller roles and navigating limited opportunities.

Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday at 92 due to multiple organ failure, recorded her first song at just 10 years old in 1943 for the Marathi film “Majha Bal.”

“Even when Asha was delivering hit songs and working in major films, she was often seen as Lata’s rival but largely remained number two in the hierarchy.

"That said, this in no way diminishes her stature or talent. What truly set her apart was her ability to recognise her unique vocal texture and style,” Usman told PTI, adding that, where other singers found it tough to sustain their careers, Bhosle not only survived but thrived and became a “legend in her own right.”

With a staggering repertoire of around 12,000 songs -- including classics like “Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar", “In Ankhon Ki Masti", “Dil Cheez Kya Hai", “Piya Tu Ab to Aaja", “Duniya Mein Logon Ko", and “Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main” -- Bhosle became the playback voice for numerous leading actresses, from Meena Kumari and Madhubala to Zeenat Aman, Kajol, Urmila Matondkar, as well as South Indian stars like Padmini and Vyjayanthimala.

Her major breakthrough, according to Usman, came with the 1957 film “Naya Daur", starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala. she sang some of the film's most enduring numbers, including "Mang Ke Saath Tumhara", "Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri", "Reshmi Salwar Kurta Jali Ka" and "Saathi Haath Badhana", all composed by OP Nayyar to lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

"The film’s music was a huge success and marked a breakthrough for her. Around the same time, due to a rift between Lata Mangeshkar and SD Burman, Asha became his primary female voice for several years, delivering numerous hits," he added.

Her later collaborations, particularly from the 1960s onwards, helped define her signature style, blending Indian and Western influences.

While Lata was the go-to choice for music director Madan Mohan, the master of melody and ghazals, Bhosle was equally accomplished in that genre, and is still remembered for her ghazals in “Umrao Jaan”. She won a National Film award for the movie.

“There was a perception that Lata excelled in classical and romantic songs, but Asha challenged that with her work in films like 'Umrao Jaan', proving her versatility.

"By the 1970s and 1980s, she had firmly established her own identity not just as a successful singer, but as a legend,” explained Usman, known for writing biographies of several Bollywood personalities, including Rajesh Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Guru Dutt and Rekha.

The award-winning author attributed Bhosle's long-lasting relevance to her lively, “zinda dil” personality and her ability to retain a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm even later in life.

He also pointed to her album "Rahul and I", a tribute to her husband and celebrated composer RD Burman, as evidence of her openness to experimenting.

"At a time when many artists of her generation resisted change, she embraced remix culture and modern presentation, even creating music videos... While times and trends evolved, Asha Bhosle stayed in sync with them. Her adaptability, combined with her musical brilliance, kept her relevant across decades," he added.

When asked how best to celebrate the legacy of such a towering personality, Usman replied that listeners must explore the full breadth of her repertoire.

From energetic tracks like “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” and “O Haseena Zulfon Wali” to soulful renditions such as “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” and the classical “Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye”, Bhosle remained a voice that resonated across generations.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC paid tribute to Asha Bhosle by describing the singer as a "last living legend" of Indian playback singing after the musician passed away on April 12.

In an interview with ANI, Shaina highlighted the versatility of Asha Bhosle and lauded her singing skills, saying that the musician has created a "benchmark" for the upcoming generations of singers.

"Asha Bhosle is clearly the last living legend of Hindi playback. And as an Indian singer, I think every tribute that is paid to her falls short. Her concerts, her stories, her versatility from cabaret to ghazals. If we look at her kind of recording, it's a benchmark for generations to come, and I would only say that more strength to her family. After 12,000 songs and so many different languages, it's a legacy which is very, very difficult to live up to," said Shaina.

Singer Anuradha Paudwal mourned the demise of the legendary vocalist Asha Bhosle and called her an institution whose legacy will live on eternally through her music.

Paudwal said Bhosle’s contribution went far beyond music, highlighting her resilience and dedication even at an advanced age.

“It is a very sad day for her millions and millions of followers from all over the world. She has been an institution not only in music, but also in the way she fought valiantly against all odds in her life, and still continued to sing even at this age,” the singer told PTI in an interview.

"I don’t think I’ve heard of many artists who have done that. There was something within her that just kept going,” she added.

Both the singers have rarely sung direct duets with each other, but they have collaborated on musical projects, specifically in Marathi music. Some of their collaboration include "Aala Aala Vara" and "Ek Maagane Ba", among others.

Recalling personal ties, Paudwal said her husband shared a close association with Bhosle, often accompanying her on the accordion during performances. “She was more like family. Even my in laws had great respect and love for her,” she said.

Paudwal emphasised that artistes like Bhosle never fade away. “Calling it the end of an era would not be right. I would say the era has gone into eternity. Their music lives forever,” she said.

Sharing memories of her association with Bhosle, Paudwal said the veteran singer played a role in naming her son Aditya.

“When my son was born, we were planning to give him another name. That’s when she told my husband, ‘You should name him Aditya.’ So my son was named by her,” she said.

She also recalled fulfilling her late father in law’s wish of singing a duet with Bhosle under poignant circumstances.

“After my father-in-law passed away, I received a call for a recording scheduled on the 13th day. Initially, I declined, but later realised it was a duet with Asha Tai. So his heartfelt wish was fulfilled on his 13th day,” she said.

Highlighting Bhosle’s versatility, Paudwal said generations have grown up listening to her music across genres. “From classical and natya sangeet to lavanis, Marathi songs, devotionals and Hindi film music, her versatility was simply incredible,” she added.

Apart from her musical achievements, Paudwal noted Bhosle’s passion for cooking and hospitality. “I have heard she was a fantastic cook and loved feeding people. She truly enjoyed life to the fullest,” she said.

On Bhosle’s collaboration with composer O. P. Nayyar, Paudwal described their songs as “immortal”, citing classics such as “Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge”, “Aao Huzoor Tumko”, “Aaiye Meherban”, “Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera” and “Chain Se Humko Kabhi”.

“You can listen to those songs any number of times, and they always feel fresh. That was a golden era,” she said.

WWE icon and actor John Cena paid tribute to legendary singer Asha Bhosle after her passing on Sunday, April 12, as he remembered a voice that touched millions across generations.

Asha Bhosle, fondly known as "Asha Tai", remained one of India's most celebrated singers for more than eight decades. Her music was loved not only in India but also by listeners around the world.

John Cena took to his Instagram account and shared a picture of the late singer as a mark of respect.

Soon after the post went online, netizens filled the comment section with emotional messages. One user wrote, "India loves you, John," while another said, "It feels great when a legend notices another legend."

Sharing her last memory of the singer, veteran actor Mumtaz told Hindustan Times, “I rushed when I heard she was hospitalised… I wanted to speak to her, but couldn’t as the doctors informed us she is critical. As I was leaving the hospital a few minutes later, her family called to say she had passed away. The next day I visited her home and when I saw Asha ji, her face had a certain noor.”

Mumtaz and Asha Bhosle teamed for classics such as "Koi Shahri Babu" (Loafer, 1973) and "Duniya Mein Logon Ko" (Apna Desh, 1972). “Ashaji would always tell me Aaja O Mere Raja (song) has been the most difficult song of her career because of the voice variations,” Mumtaz recalls. From their Walkeshwar neighborhood days, she fondly remembers, “I remember lying in Ashaji and Lata Mangeshkar’s lap when they would do riyaz with their tanpura.”

Asha Bhosle's demise has sparked national mourning. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ singer Vaibhav Gupta told the loss feels deeply personal, like family gone. “We always wondered how Asha maa could sing so perfectly. Today, it feels like someone very important has left us," he conveyed, grief-stricken.

Talking to News18, Gupta said, “Bahut khoya sa mehsoos kar raha hoon jab se suna hai Asha maa nahi rahi. Aansuon ko bahut roka, magar aa hi gaye, kyunki humne bachpan se bahut suna hai. Judaav itna tha ki aisa lag raha hai ki koi parivaar ka apna chala gaya ho. (I feel deeply lost ever since I heard that she is no more. I tried hard to hold back my tears, but they came anyway, because we’ve listened to her since childhood. The connection was so deep that it feels like we’ve lost a member of our own family.)

From a nostalgic event video featuring the sisters, Lata Mangeshkar, Asia's Nightingale, playfully ribs Asha Bhosle, saying, “Asha meri behen hai, mujhse 4 saal chhoti hai aur isne hamesha mujhe tang kiya hai, par main ise maaf kar deti hoon." Asha retorts, “Maaf toh karna hi padega na, maa ho." Lata agrees, “Maaf toh karna hi padta hai," prompting Asha's witty, “Maa maaf karti hai, aur kaun karta hai."