Asha Bhosle Passes Away at 92, Embraced the Idea of Death

Tributes Pour In for the Legendary Singer

India is mourning the loss of renowned singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 92 following a brief illness. Over her illustrious career, Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs and remained a significant figure in the music industry until her last days. Social media has been flooded with tributes from her peers in the film industry, honoring her remarkable contributions to Indian music.

In a recent interview, music director Shamir Tandon reminisced about his time working with Bhosle, referring to her as a mother figure. The two collaborated on the popular track “Kitne Ajeeb Rishte” featured in the National Award-winning film Page 3. During the recording of one of her last songs, Bhosle conveyed her readiness for death, sharing her thoughts with Tandon. The song, penned by lyricist Prasoon Joshi, carries lines that resonate with Bhosle’s feelings: “Jaane do, jaane do, khud se milna hai, jaane do” (Let me go, let me go, I want to meet myself, let me go).

Asha Bhosle’s Last Wishes

Tandon highlighted that Bhosle connected deeply with the song’s lyrics, expressing that she felt it was time for her to leave this world peacefully. “Woh kehti thi ki ab bass bahut ho gaya, ab mujhe bahut ache tarike se chale jana hai. Khud se milne jana hai” (She would say that she now wishes to go away peacefully and find herself again).

A few years earlier, during a podcast titled Couple of Things, hosted by Amrita Rao and Anmol, Bhosle articulated her desire to pass away while singing. She stated in Hindi, “Meri khud ki iccha aisi hai ki gaate gaate hi main chali jau. Yehi meri iccha hai. Abhi mujhe seekhne ka kuch nahi hai” (My only wish is to die singing. That’s my last wish. I don’t have anything left to learn).

Bhosle further elaborated, “Gaana meri life hai. Bachpan se gaya hai. 3 saal se classical, Baba ka sikhaya. Puri life usmein chali gayi hai. Film line mein 82 years ho gaye hai. Abhi jake yeh iccha hai ki gaate gaate mera dam nikle. Mujhe sabse zyada khushi hogi ki main gaate gaati jau” (Singing is my life. I have been doing that since the age of 3 with my father. I spent my entire life doing that. It’s been 82 years in the film industry. Now, all I want is to die singing. I will be the happiest if I keep singing through my last days).

Details of Her Last Rites

Asha Bhosle’s funeral is scheduled for today, April 13, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Her mortal remains will be available for viewing at her residence in Lower Parel from 10 am to 3 pm, allowing family members and friends to pay their final respects. The last rites will occur at the Shivaji Park crematorium at 4 pm, where she will be cremated with full state honors.

Her last public appearance was at the wedding of Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok on March 5, where she showcased her undying passion for music amidst family celebrations.