MyVoice: Views of our readers 13th April 2026

Asha forever…

Asha Bhosle never had to introduce herself as the sibling of Lata Mangeshkar. The simple reason being, she was equally talented, if not more, than her Didi, who of course was India’s Nightingale in the world of Indian vocalists. The first song of Asha tai, who began her singing career at the age of ten, was for the Marathi film ‘Majha Bal’ in 1943. Genre was no barrier for this God-gifted singer, who could segue so easily and effortlessly from a devotional bhajan to a love song to a cabaret number to a ghazal to virtually anything that the seven notes of Indian music are capable of. R D Burman had once said that his compositions were specially tailored for Asha’s voice, and no other singer could render justice to them. Life loving, ever optimistic, stage savvy (unlike Lata) and someone with a strong sense of humour, Asha tai has left us all teary-eyed. She lived a life that was intertwined with music. The faint smell of the mogra flowers that adorned her hair bun, those twinkling eyes and her voice that both sang and acted its part will remain forever etched in our collective memories. We sang “Abhi na jao chhod ke, ki dil abhi bhara nahi” with all our hearts.

Avinash Godboley,Dewas (MP)

Her voice will continue to enthral us

The legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhonsle’s defining voice entertained millions of her fans for over eight decades. She was credited to have sung over 12,000 songs across 20 Indian and foreign languages. Known for her immense versatility, she leaves behind a massive legacy in Bollywood music. Her career spanned from the black and white era (1940s) to modern cinema covering genres from cabaret to ghazals, classical to folklore, often setting trends. Her association with R D Burman produced several chart busters enchanting music lovers. Lata Mangeshkar was perhaps the only other female singer who outpaced her by singing over 30,000 songs in 36 Indian and foreign languages, which is a Guinness Book of World record in the history of music. But her versatility remains unmatched and that was her distinct identity. Her voice will continue to keep millions of listeners like me enthralled.

Govardhana Myneedu,Vijayawada

Asha remains the ‘queen’ of versatility

Asha Bhosle, known as the ‘queen of versatility’ and often lovingly referred to as ‘Asha tai,’ had a memorable career that spanned over eight decades. Her passing away on Sunday marks the end of a distinctive era in Indian music. Quite ironically, there have been previous death hoaxes surrounding Asha Bhosle, with some social media reports declaring her ‘death’ last July. These rumours were debunked by her son, Anand Bhosle, and other credible sources. Asha Bhosle’s career spanned over eight decades, during which she recorded over 12,500 songs in several languages, earning a place in the Guinness World Records as the most-recorded artist in music history.

C K Subramaniam,Navi Mumbai

Asha transcends time and mortality

The passing of Asha Bhosle at the age of 92 marks the end of an extraordinary musical journey. There are voices that define eras, and then there are voices that outlive them—Asha Bhosle belonged to the latter. For over eight decades, her voice moved effortlessly across genres, moods, and generations—playful one moment, aching in another, and at times mischievous, sensuous, devotional, and even defiant. She brought a rare dynamism to Indian music, constantly reinventing herself while staying rooted in melody. Her songs were not just compositions, but emotions that resonated deeply with millions. With her passing, Indian music has lost not merely a legendary singer, but a restless creative spirit who thrived on change and experimentation. Though the voice has fallen silent, its echoes will endure, reminding the world that true artistry transcends time and mortality.

N Sadhasiva Reddy,Bengaluru-560056

Last of the golden era legends will live on

In the demise of Asha Bhosle, Indian film firmament has lost a great star. As the last surviving legendary singer belonging to the Golden era of Hindi film music, her songs reverberated with the youthful spirit in full zest. Honoured with the Dada Saheb Phalke award and Padma Bhushan, she leaves innumerable songs for posterity.

Seshagiri Row Karry,Hyderabad-89