Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away at 92, cherished a profound connection with music throughout her life. She expressed a deep desire to depart while singing, finding peace in her lifelong passion. Her final journey will be marked by state honours in Mumbai, a fitting tribute to an unparalleled artist.
The demise of iconic singer Asha Bhosle at the age of 92 has left the country mourning the loss of a voice that shaped generations. With a staggering repertoire of over 12,000 songs, she remained passionately connected to music till her last days.
Composer Shamir Tandon, who shared a close association with her, remembered her as a nurturing figure and someone who had made peace with the idea of moving on.
Asha Bhosle’s song that echoed her thoughts
Speaking about their collaboration on ‘Kitne Ajeeb Rishte’ from ‘Page 3’, Shamir Tandon recalled recording one of her later tracks written by Prasoon Joshi. The lines, “Jaane do, jaane do, khud se milna hai, jaane do (Let me go, let me go, I want to meet myself, let me go)”, struck a deep chord with the veteran singer.
He shared that she often resonated with the emotion behind the lyrics.He further revealed her perspective, as she said, “Woh kehti thi ki ab bas bahut ho gaya, ab mujhe bahut achhe tarike se chale jana hai. Khud se milne jana hai (She would say that she had lived enough now and wished to leave peacefully, to reconnect with herself).”In an earlier conversation on the podcast ‘Couple of Things’, hosted by Amrita Rao and Anmol Sood, Asha Bhosle had opened up about how she envisioned her final moments.
She said, “Meri khud ki iccha aisi hai ki gaate gaate hi main chali jau. Yehi meri iccha hai. Abhi mujhe seekhne ka kuch nahi hai (My only wish is to pass away while singing. That is all I desire. I feel I have nothing left to learn).”Reflecting on her lifelong journey in music, she added, “Gaana meri life hai. Bachpan se gaya hai. 3 saal se classical, Baba ka sikhaya. Puri life usmein chali gayi hai. Film line mein 82 years ho gaye hai.
Abhi jake yeh iccha hai ki gaate gaate mera dam nikle. Mujhe sabse zyada khushi hogi ki main gaate gaati jau (Singing is my life. I began at the age of three under my father’s guidance. I have spent my entire life in it. It has been 82 years in the film industry, and now my wish is to keep singing till my last breath.
That would make me the happiest).”
Asha Bhosle’s final rites in Mumbai
The last rites of Asha Bhosle will be held on April 13 in Mumbai at the Shivaji Park crematorium. Her mortal remains will be kept at her Lower Parel residence from 10 am to 3 pm, allowing family members, friends and admirers to pay their final respects. She will be cremated with full state honours, marking a dignified farewell to a legendary artist.
