When Asha Bhosle spoke about her, elder sister Lata Mangeshkar being the 'last of Mughals'
Mumbai, April 12
Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday, once recollected the words of her elder sister, the Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar about the two of them being the 'last of the Mughals'.
An old video of the late singer, which has gone viral on social media, shows her talking about Lata Mangeshkar in a singing reality show.
She recollected the words of her sister as she said, "Didi used to say that all the music directors have left. All the singers have left. She recollected the names, as she said, 'Look, Kishore has left, Rafi sahab has left, Mukesh bhai has left, Geeta has left. Shamshad bhai has left. Now we both are the last Mughals to stay'. The day she left, I told her, 'You have also left. I am the last. Now I am the last of that generation'. I sang the first song. In 1943. And till today, I am singing. And I am the last Mughal".
Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 93 in Mumbai on Sunday. The singer was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday. Ashish Shelar, the Culture Minister of Maharashtra made the announcement outside the hospital. Her last rites will be held at Shivaji Park on Monday at 4:00 pm.
One of the most influential singers of her time, Asha Bhosle, sang her first song as a playback for the 1943 Marathi drama 'Majha Bal'. She is known for lending her voice to some noteworthy numbers such as 'Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko', 'Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani', 'Kya Ghazab Karte Ho Ji', 'O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan', and 'Ye Ladka Hay Allah Kaisa Hai Diwana', to name just a few. Along with Hindi, she has sung in around 20 Indian and foreign languages.
In 2006, Asha Bhosle herself disclosed that she has almost 12,000 songs to her credit. During her tenure as a singer spanning several decades, Asha Bhosle has worked with many acclaimed music composers such as Shankar-Jaikishan, RD Burman, OP Nayyar, Ilaiyaraaja, Bappi Lahiri, and AR Rahman. She received numerous awards throughout her career for many of her noteworthy songs. The singer was given the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award back in 2000, followed by a Padma Vibhushan in 2008.
— IANS
Reader Comments
"Last of the Mughals" is such a powerful way to put it. That generation of singers and composers built the foundation of Indian film music. Their legacy is truly unmatched. Feeling a deep sense of loss today.
As an outsider who discovered Indian cinema later in life, the artistry of Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar is simply breathtaking. The range, the emotion, the technical skill... they were in a league of their own. A sad day for global music.
12,000 songs! That number alone is mind-boggling. From "Chura Liya Hai" to her work with AR Rahman, she evolved with the times yet remained timeless. A true queen. Her passing feels like the end of an epoch.
While we rightly mourn her, let's also celebrate her incredible life and contribution. She sang from 1943 till recently! That's eight decades of giving us joy. What an inspiration. Her music will keep her alive forever.
The sheer longevity of her career is a testament to her talent and adaptability. To remain relevant and beloved across generations is a rare feat. A monumental figure has left us.
M Manish T A respectful note: We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.