Legendary singer Asha Bhosle passed away on Sunday, April 12 at the age of 92, following a cardiac arrest and pulmonary complications, NDTV reported.
Tributes poured for the veteran singer, who has career spanning over eight decades, and recorded over 12,500 songs in different languages. Leaders and artists remembered Bhosle as a legendary and versatile, with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nitin Gadkari hailed her immense contribution to the Indian music industry.
Calling the veteran singer a "jewel of India," Union Minister Piyush Goyal told PTI, “It is extremely distressing. She was one of the jewels of India. Through her songs, she promoted art and culture. She was also very close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held her in very high regard. The sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, made the nation proud with their contributions to art and culture. We will miss her. I pray for her family to bear this irreparable loss.”
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On the demise of legendary singer Asha Bhosle, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told PTI, “Asha tai and I shared a very close relationship for many years. She sang countless songs in multiple languages and earned immense recognition. Even during old age, when I suggested she take rest, she refused and said she would continue singing as long as she lived. Her passing is a great loss to her family and to all of us.”
Expressing grief over Bhosle's death, West Bengal Chief Minister in a post on X wrote, "Profoundly saddened by the demise of the great musical genius Asha Bhosle. She has been an inspiring and mesmerising singer who reigned over our hearts for generations. She sang many Bengali songs too, and is incredibly popular in Bengal also. We could confer our highest civilian award 'Bangabibhushan' on her in 2018. My heartfelt condolences to her family and fraternity and millions of her fans all over the world."
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister expressed condolences in a post on X and wrote, "That golden note of music has fallen silent today, which connected generations and shaped every emotion into melody. The passing of Asha Bhosle ji is an irreplaceable loss for the world of Indian music. In Asha tai's voice, life itself seemed to smile; every song held a story that transcended time. Her departure is like the end of a golden era, but her legacy will forever inspire generations to come. May God grant peace to the departed soul and strength to her family and admirers to bear this sorrow."
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Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan on the demise of Asha Bhosle expressed his inability to express sorrow over the demise of the legendary singer.
In a video posted by PTI, the singer said, “A very sad day for all of us and for Indian music. I just cannot believe that our dearest Asha Tai is no more. I'm unable to express my sorrow, as a musician, as her admirer and as a close family friend. I always looked up to her like Maa Saraswati. Every Indian is heartbroken today. Her music will never perish as long as humanity exists. Her contribution cannot be described in words. She will live forever, on our phones, on television and every platform where music exists, with her incredible voice echoing across the world. At this moment, we are all grief-stricken and heartbroken.”
Lauding Bhosle's contributions to the music industry, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told PTI, "This is a very sad time for music lovers across India and the world. Asha Bhosle, known as one of the most versatile artists, has passed away. The service she has rendered to music throughout India's history is truly commendable."
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