LEGENDARY Indian singer Asha Bhosle, one of the most influential voices in Bollywood music across the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 92, her family has confirmed.
The two-time Grammy nominee passed away on Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where she had been admitted with symptoms of “extreme exhaustion” and a chest infection.
Confirming her death, her son Anand Bhosle spoke briefly to reporters outside the hospital.
“My mother passed away today (Sunday). Her last rites will be held tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai,” he said.
Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest playback singers, Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs during a career that spanned over 70 years.
She performed in multiple Indian and international languages and received numerous accolades, including several National Film Awards.
The younger sister of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, Bhosle was admired for her extraordinary versatility, moving effortlessly between classical music, ghazals, cabaret numbers and pop songs.
Born on 8 September 1933 into a musical family, she began singing as a child alongside her elder sister following the death of their father.
Often compared with Mangeshkar, who was revered as “India’s nightingale” before her death in 2022, Bhosle ultimately carved out her own distinct identity as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile voices.
Her early life included significant personal challenges, including a turbulent marriage at the age of 16, but she went on to build one of the most celebrated careers in Indian music history.
She was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001 and received two Grammy nominations during her lifetime.
In later years, she continued to collaborate internationally, including a recent feature on British virtual band Gorillaz’s album The Mountain (Parvat).
Beyond music, Bhosle also pursued her passion for food, launching the “Asha’s” restaurant chain in Dubai and the United Kingdom. - April 12, 2026
