Veteran singer Asha Bhosle. File

| Photo Credit: V. Sudershan

Leaders from across the political spectrum offered their condolences and tributes to Asha Bhosle who passed away in Mumbai on Sunday (April 13, 2026). She was 92.Asha Bhosle’s last rites to be held in Mumbai on April 13 | LIVEUddhav Thackeray, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said the news was sad. He stated that Bhosle’s voice brought happiness to many generations and that her songs touched people’s emotions. He described her as a person with a kind nature. “After Lata Didi, she stood as a support for a major era in music. That support has now fallen,” he said. He added that her songs will remain her legacy.Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a stement, called the news unfortunate. He mentioned that he had familial relations with Bhosle and stated that her passing is a significant loss to the music field in India. He noted that Bhosle made many songs immortal with her voice, including those from “Naya Daur”, “Teesri Manzil”, “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”, “Umrao Jaan”, “Ijaazat”, and “Rangeela”. He emphasised that her voice and contributions will be remembered for generations.Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said that Bhosle was one of the most accomplished and versatile playback singers India has seen. He stated that her voice, her ability to sing in different genres of music, and her contributions to Indian music have left a mark on music lovers. He noted that her song “Jo Bhi Hai Bas Yehi Ek Pal Hai” had become the philosophy of her life. The Governor said her passing is an irreparable loss to the world of music and to the state of Maharashtra. He added that Bhosle had a close association with his family, having been married to R. D. Burman.Asha Bhosle — the voice of Bollywood for eight decadesVeteran singer Asha Bhosle during an interview to The Hindu, in New Delhi. Asha Bhosle, the playback singer who recorded songs in over ten Indian languages, began singing at the age of 10. In this image on October 27, 2004, The siblings of Pt. Dinanath Mangeshkar, (left to right) Usha Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Meena Khadikar gather together to celebrate the 68th Birthday of Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, in Mumbai.President Pratibha Patil presenting Padma Vibhushan Award to veteran singer Asha Bhosle at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on May 5, 2008.Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar felicitates her sister Asha Bhosle along with Usha Mangeshkar, in Mumbai in 2013.Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar receives Lifetime Achievement award from singer Asha Bhosle and music composer A.R. Rahman during the Global Indian Music Academy Awards function in Mumbai.Cricketer Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and veteran singer Asha Bhosle, who both received Padma Vibhushan Awards from President Pratibha Patil, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on May 5, 2008.Singer Asha bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar during the Moti Tichi Savali book launch held at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi on September 28, 2009.Lata Mangeshkar sits alongside her sister Asha Bhosle during the Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar Awards in Mumbai on March 31, 2013.Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives the first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award from singers Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Khadikar, and musician Adinath Mangeshkar, during a ceremony, in Mumbai, on April 24, 2022.RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat attends the book launch of Asha Bhosle in Mumbai on June 28, 2024.1/3Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said that the passing of Bhosle marks the end of a golden era in music and that the “empress” of melodies has passed into eternity. She stated that Bhosle’s voice had sweetness, versatility, and the ability to convey emotion. She noted that songs such as “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja”, “Dum Maro Dum”, “In Aankhon Ki Masti”, and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne” remain on the lips of fans. She said that Bhosle’s musical journey stands as a symbol of hard work and devotion to her art.Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the divine voice that touched the hearts of the past four generations has fallen silent. He stated that not a single day has passed in recent decades without Bhosle’s voice being heard. He expressed his fortune in having met Bhosle many times and noted that those moments will remain in his heart. He offered a prayer for her soul.Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the news was heartbreaking. He stated that with Bhosle’s demise, another star has fallen from the Mangeshkar lineage after Lata Didi. He mentioned that Bhosle sang over 12,000 songs in Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, and 20 other Indian and foreign languages. He noted that she received the ‘Bangla Vibhushan’ award. He recalled a recent World Radio Day event where Bhosle had asked him to sing “Abhi Na Jaao Chhodkar...” for her and had said, “Look, I got the Chief Minister to sing for me.”Sachin Sawant, a leader of the Congress party, said that the passing of Bhosle is extremely heartbreaking. He stated that, growing under the shade of Lata Mangeshkar, Bhosle carved out her own place. He said she exemplified the meaning of “versatility” throughout her career. He noted that she upheld high standards and honesty in her art. He remarked that filling the shoes of Lata Didi and Asha Tai is not possible. He offered a heartfelt tribute. Published - April 12, 2026 03:31 pm IST