Published: 12:21 AM, 16 April 2026
Asha Bhosle: Demise of Another Melody Queen in India
A pall of gloom was cast upon Indian vocal music during the afternoon hours of April 12, 2026. On this particular day, the diehard Indian vocal music lovers as well as that of the sub-continent became remorse forever. Though we will not evince her image, but due to her indelible contributions towards all vocal music lovers of India, Ashaji will continue to remain immersed in the mind and heart of all music lovers. Not only of India, but also of Bangladesh but also of South Asian Sub-Continent.
Though Ashaji was born in a cultured Marathi family way back in the year 1933 on September 8. Her demise might be a sorrowful for her ardent lovers and fans in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan plus rest of the globe. But I feel dearly from my mind and heart, she was an international icon of the highest order. Any kind of vocal music she sang, everything touched deeply upon the heart and mind of all her innumerable fans. That is why her melody is rated as a God gifted one. It is true to our mind and heart, Ashaji had a rare melodic talent, but her perseverance to achieve her coveted goal was so serious, that motivated her to reach to the mind of all her ardent admirers of India and Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.
Having born in an erudite Marathi family, Ashaji was equally proficient not only in her mother language Marathi, but also equally in Hindi and Bengali. In all Hindi and Bengali films, she sang background music with gusto and ebullience. I being a Bengali, from the Indian state of West Bengal, is an ardent fan of Ashaji’s prolific melody.
Now let me touch upon the prolific melodies of Asha Bhosle. There might be innumerable of such. Among all some of the major ones are stated as such, is divided into various phases. The iconic life of 92 plus years does not seem to be a matter of joke. Though she is immersed in the midst of universe, but her legacy will throng in our mind forever. This is the hard facts of life. The soul which departs at a matured age, say that of Ashaji at the age of 92 years, cannot be erased off from the threshold of our memory. As days and eras pass off, Indian melody lovers cannot forget her from our mind and heart.
Now let me touch upon her major vocal melody right from her young days till date. The major and prominent songs along with films are stated as such,
(1950-1980)
“Aye Meherban” (Howrah Bridge) (1958)
“Chod Do Anchal” “(Paying Guest) (1957)
“Babuji Dheere Chalna” (Aar Par) (1954)
“Piya To Ab to Aja” (Caravan) (1971)
“Dum Maro Dum” (Hare Ram Hare Krishna)” (1971)
“Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” (Yadoon Ki Baraat) (1973)
“Deel Cheeze Kya Hai” (Umrao Jaan) (1981)
“Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani” (The Great Gambler 1979)
“Raat Akeli Hai” (Jewel Thief) (1967)
“Jhumka Gira Re” (Mera Saaya) (1966)
“Aao Huzur Tumko” (Kismat) (1968)
“Ye Hai Reshmi Jhulphon Ka” (Mere Sanam) (1965)
“Aage Bhi Jane Na Tu” (Waqt) (1965)
Apart from the above songs, Ashaji performed in popular duets with Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar. Among the popular duet songs with those legends, such as “Deewana Hua Badal” (Kashmir Ki Koli), “ Isharon Isharon Mei” (Kashmir Mi Koli), Dostane(1980), Aap Ki Dewane(1980), Shann( 1980), Kasme Wade( 1978), Muqaddar(1978), The Burning Train, ( 1979), Ram Balram, (1980), Swayam Bhar(1980) and finally Heeralal Pannalal (1978).
Ashaji in her prolonged life of 92 years and more, had an eventful life to her credit. It is continuously from the year 1950, she remains uninterruptedly with other Bollywood and Tollywood singers of repute. The way she sang Bengali songs and Rabindra Sangeet reflects an indelible talent in her life.
Among the Bengali songs which Ashaji rendered are numerous. These are stated as such, “Jete Dao Amay Dekona” “ Bandhagharer Andhakare, “ Ki Je Bhabi Elomelo”, with Kishore Kumar,” Aamar Swapno Tumi Ogo” and with R.D.Burman/Bappi Lahiri, “ Phire Elam Dure Giye” etc. She also had the privilege to work Hemanta Mukherjee( Hemant Kumar in Bombay films).
As days pass off, the legacy of Ashaji will remain vivid in our mind and heart. We also sincerely belief that whichever the world she remains, it is our long-cherished desires. That she will continue to bless us; I mean modern singers and writers who want to progress in life. Not only the modern singers, but also along with-it writers of the modern age are an ardent fan of his. Her family is a family of talents starting from Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar, Hridaynath Mangeshkar etc all have contributed towards the enrichment of India. It was in fact when Ashaji sang Rabindra Sangeet and Bengali melodic song, it does not seem like she was not a Bengali. In this regard, dedication and sincerity was the pivotal aspect of Ashaji’s temperament. Ashaji was equally popular in Bangladesh. She visited the nation in the year 2012. Among the Bangladeshis vocalist, Runa Laila was very closer and cordial to her.
Sujayendra Das is a columnist based
in Calcutta, India.
