Legendary Bollywood Singer Asha Bhosle Dead at 92

Iconic Indian singer Asha Bhosle has died at the age of 92.

Bhosle, whose voice was heard in hundreds of Bollywood films, died of multiple organ failure on Sunday at a hospital in Mumbai, India (as per the Associated Press).

Her son Anand Bhosle revealed that his mother's last rites will be performed on Monday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute on social media: “Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world. Be it her soulful melodies or vibrant compositions, her voice carried timeless brilliance.”

Bhosle is credited with recording over 12,000 songs throughout her eight-decade-long career.

Born into the famed Mangeshkar musical dynasty, Bhosle’s older sister was Lata Mangeshkar, dubbed India’s “Queen of Melody” who similarly became a famed playback singer. Mangeshkar died in 2022, also at the age of 92.

Bhosle is widely known for her musical partnership with composer RD Burman, her longtime collaborator who eventually became her husband. The pair recorded several Bollywood hits together, including “Dum Maro Dum” and “Piya Tu Ab To Aja”.

Bhosle's impact extended into the Western world thanks to collaborations with Boy George (“Bow Down Mister“), Michael Stipe (“The Way You Dream“), and Gorillaz, who enlisted her for “The Shadowy Light” on their new album The Mountain.

Bhosle was also the inspiration behind Cornershop’s iconic 1997 hit “Brimful of Asha”.

Cornershop’s Tjinder Singh paid tribute on social media following Bhosle's death: “The world and all-India grieve today. We don’t know whether a candle has gone out or has been lit, such was the stature of Asha Bhosle.”