Playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, whose voice often drew comparisons to Lata Mangeshkar, passed away at 89, leaving behind a legacy of popular Bollywood songs from the 1960s and 70s.
'Her voice was very rich in timbre and at the same time very soothing.'
'Ashadidi always said it like it was, never minced words. She was not afraid of the truth.'
Suman Kalyanpur, known for her melodious voice and soulful renditions, was laid to rest with full state honours in Mumbai.
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.
On Raj Kapoor's 38th death anniversary on June 2, 10 soundtracks that reflect the creative crescendos scaled by RK and his musical team.
'Imagine the pain of hearing your own song on the radio, yet your name isn't mentioned. Or someone else's name being credited for your voice.' 'Even on record covers, her photograph was often absent while others were prominently featured.' 'These are wounds any artist would carry deeply.'
The last Mughal has passed away into ages on April 12, leaving a huge void in all our lives.
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.
It is impossible to discuss Asha Bhosle without mentioning the word 'versatility', notes Dinesh Raheja.
Who were the mothers who shaped Mahatma Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar, Narendra Modi and other well-known Indians?
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.
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.
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.
Snapshots from Asha Bhosle's life.
On Lata Mangeshkar's birthday, Prachita Baban Patil sings for the legend.
'Today, if 50 songs are composed, one or two work. In the 1970s, all 50 would work.'
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.
"Give me a harmonium and my 'Lota', and I will give you an outstanding composition," Sachin Dev Burman once famously declared.
His favourite Lataji song is Luka Chuppi.
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.
Lataji had once picked her favourites, albeit reluctantly, and told Subhash K Jha just why they were so close to her heart.
Asha Bhosle's only daughter Varsha Bhosle, who died in 2012, had penned this beautiful ode to her mother.
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.
'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...'
As India mourns Lata Mangeshkar's passing, Namrata Thakker takes a look at the Legend's life through these amazing pictures.
Sing your favourite Lata Mangeshkar song and send it to us.
'Today's girls are freer than the earlier generation. They perform more freely.'
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.
'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.'
Sukanya Verma presents a playlist of 100 Lata Mangeshkar songs from different decades of Hindi films -- songs that make me sing, smile, sob and sigh.
Which is your favourite Lata Mangeshkar song?
I was being slowly poisoned' 'I was bed-ridden for three months and was so weak.'
Sukanya Verma celebrates The Legend's 25 distinctly different moods.
As we celebrate singer Mukesh's birth centenary on July 22, it is a nice time to recall his closeness to Lata Mangeshkar, who would call him 'Mukesh bhaiyya'.
What's your favourite Lata song?
'It is very natural to connect to Lataji's songs whenever I am singing,' says Atul Bane.
Lata Mangeshkar's amazing and glorious life paused at 8.12 am on February 6.
Sing your favourite Lata Mangeshkar song and send it to us.
Rare glimpses from the Legend's Life.
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