By Ira Dugal and Chandni Shah
MUMBAI, April 12 (Reuters) – Indian singer Asha Bhosle, known for her versatile repertoire and high-energy music in countless Bollywood movies, has died at the age of 92 in Mumbai, drawing widespread tributes.
Famous for generations across India, Bhosle gained international attention through her collaborations with British musician Boy George.
“Her extraordinary musical journey, spanning decades, enriched our cultural heritage and touched countless hearts across the world,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Over the course of her career, Bhosle was nominated for two Grammys and was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award – India’s top arts accolade and also the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour.
“Be it her soulful melodies or vibrant compositions, her voice carried timeless brilliance,” Modi said in a message on X of Bhosle, whose career spanned eight decades.
Bhosle, who was the younger sister of singer Lata Mangeshkar, had been moved to a private hospital in Mumbai on Saturday evening because of a chest infection and exhaustion, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle said earlier.
Tributes to Bhosle, who sang in many Indian languages, including Marathi and Hindi, came from across the arts world.
“Her voice has been one of the pillars of Indian cinema and will continue to resonate world over for centuries to come,” Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan wrote on X.
Her talent will outlive many, Khan added.
“She who lent so much vivacity and character to her songs has left us grieving,” said actor Hema Malini on X.
Her son Anand Bhosle, confirming her death to ANI news agency, said her funeral will be held in Mumbai on Monday.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the details.
(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru and Ira Dugal ; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Alexander Smith )
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