Legendary singer Asha Bhosle was cremated with full state honors on Monday at Shivaji Park Crematorium, as the nation mourned the loss of one of its most iconic voices. The singer passed away on Sunday at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure, leaving behind a legacy spanning over eight decades and more than 12,000 songs.Amid the outpouring of grief, veteran actor Mumtaz recalled her last memory of the singer, sharing an emotional account of her final moments.“I rushed when I heard she was hospitalised… I wanted to speak to her, but couldn’t as the doctors informed us she is critical. As I was leaving the hospital a few minutes later, her family called to say she had passed away. The next day I visited her home and when I saw Asha ji, her face had a certain noor,” Mumtaz told Hindustan Times.
‘She would say this was her most difficult song’
The actor-singer duo created memorable hits over the years, including songs like Koi Shahri Babu and Duniya Mein Logon Ko, that went on to become timeless classics.Recalling their musical journey, Mumtaz added, “Ashaji would always tell me Aaja O Mere Raja has been the most difficult song of her career because of the voice variations.”
Memories beyond music
Beyond their professional collaborations, Mumtaz also shared a deeply personal memory from their younger days, revealing the warmth of her bond with the legendary singer and her family.“I remember lying in Ashaji and Lata Mangeshkar’s lap when they would do riyaz with their tanpura,” she said, painting a nostalgic picture of their time as neighbors in Walkeshwar.
A final farewell with state honors
On Monday, Asha Bhosle—fondly known as Asha Tai—was given a ceremonial gun salute by the Mumbai Police. Draped in the tricolour, her mortal remains were consigned to flames in an emotional ceremony attended by family, friends, and admirers.Her last rites were performed by her son Anand, as chants and prayers filled the air, marking the end of an era in Indian music.