India Pays Final Tribute To Asha Bhosle With State Funeral

MUMBAI -Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle was cremated with full state honors on April 13 at Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park, marking the end of an era in Indian music.

Asha Bhosle, affectionately known as ‘Asha Tai’, passed away on April 12, at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure following a cardiac arrest. She had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital a day earlier after suffering from extreme exhaustion and a chest infection.

The Maharashtra government accorded the veteran singer a state funeral in recognition of her immense contribution to the nation’s cultural life. The ceremony echoed the farewell given to her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, at the same venue.

Her mortal remains were kept at her residence in Lower Parel, allowing family members, fans and members of the film and music fraternity to pay their last respects.

Thousands of mourners lined the streets as the funeral procession moved to Dadar. At around 5 p.m., she was cremated with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honor by the Maharashtra Police.

Among those present were Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Ashish Shelar, Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat, Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena UBT MP Anil Desai.

From the film and music industries, Aamir Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Vivek Oberoi, Anup Jalota, Shaan, Ramesh Sippy, Padmini Kolhapure, Helen and Poonam Dhillon paid their respects. Her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle was seen overcome with emotion while receiving visitors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his condolence message, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Asha Bhosle Ji. Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world.”

Tributes also poured in from across the entertainment industry, with several artists describing her as an irreplaceable pillar of Indian cinema.

With a career spanning more than eight decades, Asha Bhosle was celebrated as one of the most influential voices in Indian music. She recorded over 12,000 songs across multiple languages and genres, from classical and ghazals to pop and film music, with timeless songs such as ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ and ‘Dum Maro Dum’.

She was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the Padma Vibhushan and two National Film Awards.

Though her passing leaves an immense void, her voice and legacy will continue to resonate across generations. (IANS)