India bid an emotional farewell to legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who was cremated in Mumbai yesterday with full state honours, including a gun salute.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of celebrities, public figures and political leaders, while crowds gathered outside the venue to bid farewell to one of India’s most iconic voices.
Bhosle died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack and being admitted to hospital.
Her body, brought from Breach Candy Hospital, was placed in a glass casket draped in the Indian flag and surrounded by floral wreaths before being transported through the streets of Mumbai in a flower-covered vehicle.
Videos showed mourners lining the roads, with some watching from rooftops and balconies as she made her final journey.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the cremation ground, where mourners sang one of her classic songs, Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar, just before her final rites were performed.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her as one of the most iconic and versatile voices the country has ever known, while President Droupadi Murmu called her passing an irreparable loss to music lovers.
Tributes also came from across the entertainment and sporting world, reflecting her influence across generations.
With a career spanning nearly eight decades, Bhosle recorded thousands of songs across multiple languages and genres, becoming one of the defining voices of Indian cinema.
Born in 1933, she began singing at a young age alongside her sister, Lata Mangeshkar.
Despite early personal challenges and frequent comparisons, she carved out her own identity with a distinctive style, ranging from romantic melodies to bold and experimental tracks.
Her death has triggered an outpouring of grief across India and beyond, with many remembering her as a timeless voice whose music will continue to resonate for generations.
Source: BBC News
