Asha Bhosle, widely regarded as the ‘Voice of Bollywood’, has passed away at the age of 92. She has also voiced various Nepali songs that remain at the heart of the country’s musical landscape.
According to Hindustan Times, she was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital on Saturday, April 11, after experiencing cardiac and respiratory issues. The report says the singer had not been keeping well for the last few months and was brought to the hospital in a critical state, and was admitted to the ICU on Saturday night.
Her son Anand confirmed the news of her passing on Sunday.
Born in 1933 into the Mangeshkar family, Bhosle began her career at a young age. By the time she was 9 years old, she had started singing professionally, recording her first film song in 1943 for the Marathi film ‘Majha Bal’.
While her contribution to India’s music and cinema remains unparalleled, Bhosle also carved a deep and enduring connection with Nepali audiences. With her widely celebrated Nepali songs such as ‘Mohani Lagla Hai’, ‘Gairi Khetko Shirai Hanyo’, ‘Aaja Hamro Bhet Bhako Dina’, ‘Basanta Nai Basna Khojcha Yaha, ‘Yo Ho Mero Pran Bhanda Pyaro Maitighar’, and ‘Aage Aage Topaiko Gola’ Bhosle’s voice travelled generations and geographies, which marked her timeless, legendary and versatile presence in Nepal’s musical memory.
In Nepali films, including ‘Maitighar’ (1966), ‘Deuta’ (1991), ‘Jwala’ (1994), her voice became integral, amplifying the emotional depth of their narratives.
Indian playback music has long held cultural prominence in Nepal, with several artists, including Bhosle, drawing inspiration from it. Her collaborations with Narayan Gopal, Udit Narayan Jha, Sadhana Sargam, Danny and many other artists are embedded in the country’s shared cultural arc.
Singer Kunti Moktan recalls her early childhood memories of wanting to replicate Asha Bhosle’s voice. “When I was in Darjeeling, her songs would echo from the mic,” she told the Post. “Attempting to sing ‘Jhajhalko Liyera Aaye Cha Sawan’ is deeply carved in my core memories. Even in the present days, when asked to sing my favourite song, I hum its rhythms.”
Like many, she calls Bhosle the Saraswati of music. “Even though she is no longer with us, her legacy will remain as long as Nepali music exists,” says Moktan. “Losing an artist like her, whose versatility was simply unmatched, fills me with deepest sorrow.”