Asha Bhosle

08 Sep, 1933 | Sangli, Mumbai

Singer/Actress

Biography

Born on 8 September 1933 in Sangli, Asha Bhosle (born Asha Mangeshkar) grew up in a musically rich household. She was the daughter of Deenanath Mangeshkar, a renowned classical singer and stage performer. She was the younger sister of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, and also had three other siblings—Meena, Usha, and Hridaynath. After her father’s death when she was just nine years old, the family moved from Pune to Mumbai. To support the family financially, Asha and Lata began singing and acting in films at a very young age. Musical Career Asha Bhosle began her musical journey early, recording her first song for the Marathi film Majha Bal in 1943. She made her Hindi film debut with “Saawan Aaya” in the 1948 film Chunariya . Initially, she was often given songs that other singers declined, but her persistence and talent helped her rise to prominence in the 1950s with songs like “Nanhe Munne Bachche.” Her career flourished through collaborations with iconic composers such as O. P. Nayyar and R. D. Burman. Over the decades, she became known for timeless hits like “Dum Maro Dum,” “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja,” and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko.” Her extraordinary versatility allowed her to excel in various genres including film music, ghazals, classical, pop, bhajans, and folk music. With a career spanning decades, she recorded over 12,000 songs in more than 20 languages, earning recognition as one of the most recorded artists in music history. Personal Life At the age of 16, Asha Bhosle married Ganpatrao Bhosle against her family’s wishes, but the marriage ended in 1960. She later married renowned composer R. D. Burman in 1980, sharing a deep personal and professional bond until his passing in 1994. She had three children- Hemant, Varsha, and Anand. Beyond music, Asha also ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing a successful chain of restaurants under the brand “Asha’s” in cities like Dubai, Kuwait, and Birmingham. Awards and Honours Asha Bhosle received numerous prestigious awards throughout her illustrious career. She was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2008, India’s second-highest civilian award. She was also the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000, along with two National Film Awards and seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer. Her global recognition included becoming the first Indian singer to be nominated for a Grammy Award in 1997. Death and Legacy Asha Bhosle passed away on 12 April 2026 at the age of 92, marking the end of an era in Indian music. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital a day earlier due to extreme exhaustion and a chest infection. Hospital reports confirmed that she died from multi-organ failure following a cardiac arrest. Her passing came just over four years after the death of her sister, Lata Mangeshkar. Asha Bhosle’s legacy remains unparalleled, her voice, versatility, and contribution to Indian and global music continue to inspire generations.