'Ashadidi always said it like it was, never minced words. She was not afraid of the truth.'
Asha Bhosle, the iconic Indian playback singer known for her unparalleled versatility and a career spanning over eight decades, has passed away at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Asha Bhosle, honouring her as an unparalleled versatile artist whose passing marks a significant loss for Indian and global music.
Who were the mothers who shaped Mahatma Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, Narendra Modi and other well-known Indians?
It is impossible to discuss Asha Bhosle without mentioning the word 'versatility', notes Dinesh Raheja.
April 12 was the day music truly died, as Asha Bhosle passed into the ages at the age of 92.
Snapshots from Asha Bhosle's life.
Glimpses of fans and well-wishers saying their last goodbyes to Asha Bhosle.
The last Mughal has passed away into ages on April 12, leaving a huge void in all our lives.
Words can barely capture the depth and beauty of Asha Bhosle's voice, at once ethereal and ineffable. Her demise has created a void but the songs she sang will never die.
'She brought to life every song she sang, whether it was a soft, romantic track, a swinging, cabaret number or a heart-wrenching song.' 'There were so many emotions in her voice, so many variations.'
Shreekant Sambrani tells himself over and over again, don't lose heart in these dire times, there is asha (hope) still, in the divine voice of Asha Bhosle.
The voice of one of India's greatest playback singers may have fallen silent, but her music is anything but gone. It lives on in the airwaves, in our memories, in moments we return to without even realising.
'Today, if 50 songs are composed, one or two work. In the 1970s, all 50 would work.'
'She was the last of the diggaj kalakaars after Lataji, Kishoreda, Rafi saab and Mannada and with her demise, the golden era of Hindi film music has truly ended.'
Asha Bhosle's only daughter Varsha Bhosle, who died in 2012, had penned this beautiful ode to her mother.
Much, much, much before Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani fussed over What Jhumka, Asha Bhosle trilled in her alluring voice and teased us with tantalising details about the events leading to her precious Jhumka's loss.
From sultry cabaret numbers to soul-stirring ghazals, Asha Bhosle crafted a sonic universe where boldness met beauty and mischief mingled with melancholy. Her voice didn't just soundtrack cinema, it liberated expression, challenged norms and gave generations permission to feel, flirt, ache and celebrate without restraint. Sukanya Verma salutes the legend.
'Today's girls are freer than the earlier generation. They perform more freely.'
'Ashaji was unlike any other, a voice that defined not only one generation but across a span of cinematic universe! I was and have been the massive fan of her voice, her art, her personality...'
Aamir Khan's heartwarming film Sitaare Zameen Par, which explores themes of resilience and neurodiversity through basketball, is set to stream on Sony LIV.
'I don't want to do silly or meaningless work anymore.'
Sukanya Verma raises a toast to the amazing Alka Yagnik's solo song supremacy.
The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) were held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Kamini Kaushal was one of the top three heroines of the 1940s, alongside Suraiya and Nargis. Dinesh Raheja lists 10 songs that defined her career.
'Ek Do Teen gave me recognition, Aye Mere Humsafar brought emotional depth, Taal Se Taal Mila challenged me musically, Agar Tum Saath Ho connected me with the new generation.' 'Each song came into my life at the right time.'
Lata Mangeshkar has sung so many songs in her career, one even more popular than the other. But there are so many undiscovered gems. Subhash K Jha picks 10 lesser known, but exquisite, Lata songs.
"Give me a harmonium and my 'Lota', and I will give you an outstanding composition," Sachin Dev Burman once famously declared.
Jatin-Lalit's music score for Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is one of the best-selling soundtracks of all times and their Pehla Nasha is a song for the ages.
In this special series, Dinesh Raheja explores prominent music duos, and the dynamics that went into the making, and the unmaking.
'Somewhere our society's collective morality is lost. There's a kind of moral confusion in our society which reflects in our films.' 'Filmmakers are hiding behind romance, ghost stories, murder mysteries and sex. No film is looking at social issues.'
'Once when he was on a flight, the plane hit an air-pocket.' 'The turbulence outside caused it to see-saw violently which caused a lot of panic inside. While his co-passengers were crying and praying for their lives, Salil kaku was writing a song in his head.'
Music director duos are a unique Bollywood feature, and many have become iconic. In this special series, Dinesh Raheja explores prominent music duos, and their dynamics.
'If I'm proud to be single it's because Lata was so blissfully single.'
S D Burman is that unique composer who remained successful right up to his death with his creative engines never running on empty.
Bappi Lahiri realised disco was a winning ticket and escalated his game with several more dancefloor perennials. Soon, every film producer and music director in town was down with disco fever. On what would have been Bappi Lahiri's 73rd birthday this November 27, Dinesh Raheja rewinds to the late music composer's halcyon days.
Veteran playback singer and actress Sulakshana Pandit passed away on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness, her family said. She was 71.
Can anyone forget S D Burman's classic songs in Devdas, Sujata and Bandini?
In this special series, Dinesh Raheja explores prominent music duos, and the dynamics that went into the making, and the unmaking.
In 1973, several major leading ladies like Mumtaz, Raakhee, Jaya Bhaduri, Dimple Kapadia, Tanuja, had married and retired from films. Producers wanted a new heroine as a replacement. Many thought Sulakshana was a Mumtaz lookalike and was soon persuaded to sign on multiple films as a leading lady.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances