13042026-LSTC-01.qxd 4/12/2026 9:13 PM Page 1 c m y b Asha Bhosle had a profound influence on Shankar Mahadevan who said he deeply admired her and regarded her as an embodiment of Goddess Saraswati. ‘Her voice lives on’ TRIBUNE Life ...Alife well lived SHA BHOSLE was not just a remarkable singer, she was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted storyteller and an engaging conversationalist. She also found joy in cooking and loved to cook for her friends. “If Ashaji cooked for you it meant she liked you,” said filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “She was so full of life, it’s hard to imagine that she is gone. It seems just the other day when she had come to my office. She asked for two spoonsful of sugar, saying, ‘Main toh sab kuch khati hoon, mast hoke jeeti hoon. ’ She was so full of life.” The legendary singer passed away at the age of 92, marking the end of an era in Indian music. Her contribution to the world of playback singing transcends scholarly analysis. She sang with the conviction of one who had experienced every emotion of life. She was open to life’s toughest challenges and came out a winner. At the age of 16, she eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, marrying him against her family’s wishes. The marriage was a disaster. Ashaji once told me, “It was a tough life. I was out on the streets with three little children. Singing opportunities were limited. Didi ruled the playback world. I got few random songs. Jo bhi mila maine gaya…. You know the song I sang for Nayyar saab (OP) — Chayan se humko kabhi aapne jeene na diya…that’s the song of my life.” Later, she married composer R D Burman. Thereafter Asha Bhosle’s career reached an unparalleled zenith. She was also a proud restaurateur, owning a worldwide chain of eateries. “Mujhe gana, phir khana bahot pasand hai. Bas donon mujhe Bhagwan ne de diya. Aur kya chahiye?” Asha ji once told me. She was humble to the core. “My son asked me why I spoke to everyone, from the watchman to the guy who does our laundry. He said, ‘Do you know who you are?’ You’re Asha Bhosle. And you must maintain a distance from people.’ I disagreed. I like to see myself as a simple person.” Recalling the days of struggle, Ashaji had said once, “When there was already a Taj Mahal, I tried to build another one. Bahut mushqil thi. Who would want to go to another singer when there was already a Lata Mangeshkar? On top of that, I was her younger sister. Hamesha humein ek tarazu mein tola gaya. Janam bhar hum ussi tarazu mein baithe rahe. Didi and I had to be different. Copying her would have meant the end of my career. So, I had to cultivate the Western style of singing. I Singer Asha Bhosle with her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle Asha Bhosle could never come to terms with her elder sister’s supremacy in the singing universe. As Yash Chopra once told this writer, “Asha is a volcano of talent. Her versatility knows no bounds. But Lata is Lata. There can never be another voice like hers ….ever. There is one sun and one moon and one Lata Mangeshkar.” One remembers the legendary singer and music director Hemant Kumar Mukherjee being badgered in WHAT’S HOT play ludhiana shimla Asha Bhosle’s final collaborations finds echo through Gorillaz’s Indian-inspired Parvat. The edgy, experimental, and genre-defying style of iconic singer Asha Bhosle was an inspiration for British group Gorillaz, and their collaboration, regarded as one of her final musical contributions, features on the virtual band’s album The Mountain (Parvat) released in March 2026. Bhosle is featured on The Shadowy Light, a track from the album, now being seen as a poignant final chapter in her extraordinary career. Subhash K Jha PIZZAS & COOKIES ESSERTS lovers are in for a treat as Bake and Bite, one of Shimla's renowned bakeries, has come up with its outlet in Chotta Shimla. Located on Chotta Shimla-Kasumpti road, the bakery offers 100 per cent vegetarian bakery products giving them a unique taste. The bakery has gained popularity for its pastries and cakes, especially red velvet cake, which is one of the most popular items offered by it. Along with this, the café offers a variety of cookies, pizzas, momos, burgers, wraps, etc, which are loved by locals as well as tourists. THE LAST SONG had to do any kind of song that was offered to me.” Ashaji attributed her resilience to her honesty. “I am like glass. You can see right through me. I also refuse to cling to negativity. I like to move on. I am blessed because I get so much respect. I think this world is beautiful. Not that I’ve forgotten any of the pain that I’ve gone through. It’s there, all stored away. I am the soldier who has taken wounds on my chest. I am proud of them. Today I am happy and at peace. No regrets. God gave me endurance power and because of Him I am still standing tall today. Main Bhagwan ki laadli hoon.” Ashaji had to fight off the image of singing naughty numbers. “People those days considered cabaret and dance numbers to be lowly. But I managed. On second thoughts, maine nahin kuch kiya, hota gaya. God was kind…And here I am. People think I’ve achieved a lot. Mujhe kuch nahin lagta. People run after fame. But these are so temporal. If I stop singing for a year, everyone would forget me. I never get carried away by fame and recognition. I would rather give my attention to my family.” Ashaji’s immaculate appearance, eye-catching sarees and jewellery were the talk of the town. She was enthused by food as much as music and was proud of her growing chain of restaurants. “In my opinion khaana comes first, gaana later. I love to feed people.” Her vibrant voice may have fallen silent, but her legacy will continue to resonate through her timeless songs. Lata Mangeshkar’s troubled relationship with Asha Bhosle eat D LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 13 APRIL 2026 Asha Bhosle A Tributes poured in from across the film industry for legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away at the age of 92 following multi-organ failure at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on Sunday. “It’s truly sad to learn about Asha Tai’s passing. Her voice has been one of the pillars of Indian cinema and will continue to resonate world over for centuries to come… A talent that will outlive many, she always showered me with blessings and love and I will miss her. Rest in Peace Asha Tai. Love you,” posted Shah Rukh Khan. Hema Malini said she shared a deep emotional bond with Bhosle and found it hard to believe that someone so full of life was gone. “She has made many of my songs so popular with her unique voice and style. I had a very special relationship with both Lata ji and Asha ji, who have contributed in no small measure to my rise in the film industry,” she wrote. “It is a huge loss for Maharashtra and for the whole of India that can never be compensated or replaced ever,” she added. Akshay Kumar posted, “No words can convey the loss I feel at Asha Bhosle ji’s demise. Unki surily awaaz hamesha hamesha ke liye amar rahegi (Her melodious voice will remain immortal forever). Om Shanti.” Karan Johar said, “A voice that defined not only one generation but across a span of cinematic universe. Your music will live on forever and we are blessed to experience the magic you have left behind,” he said. Kajol, one of the many female stars for whom the legendary singer lent her voice, recalled watching Asha Bhosle record a song when she was 19. “Ashatai was, is and will always be a legend .. as a singer , as a persona and as a human being .. loved everything about her.. from her love of life, food and sense of humour and off course her first love .. her singing! I remember going for one of her recordings for a song that never released. I was 19 and she was amazing! What she made out of that simple melody was like watching a film… I told her then that if I could bring one tenth of what she gave the song I would be a great actor... the only word that comes to mind to describe her is Magnificent.” — PTI Shreya Ghoshal offered a heartfelt tribute to Asha Bhosle. “Today, we lost a voice that defined generations... a spirit that redefined music itself. Asha Bhosle ji wasn’t just legendary, she was limitless,” she said. Her vibrant voice may have gone silent, but Asha Bhosle’s legacy will live on through her timeless songs… Subhash K Jha Celebs mourns Asha Bhosle’s death A tribute T SOULFULLY PUNJABI HE upcoming event Rangan Di Ustat ft. Manpreet Singh promises to be a soulful celebration of Punjabi music and spirit. Scheduled for April 18 at 5 pm at Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust, Ludhiana, the concert will showcase Manpreet Singh’s heartfelt voice, expressive lyrics, and powerful stage presence. With a performance lasting 2 hours 30 minutes, the show is open to audiences aged three years and above. The show offers his fans an opportunity to immerse themselves in melodies that blend emotion, memory, and cultural pride. c m y b an interview about why he chooses Lata Mangeshkar over Asha Bhosle. After being asked several times Hemantda lost his cool and retorted, “Look, I know you are trying to provoke a controversy out of me. But there is no dispute here. Lata is absolutely the best. Even Asha acknowledges that.” One is not sure that Asha Bhosle was comfortable with acknowledging her Didi’s supremacy. Asha didn’t like her sister’s supremacy being acknowledged even by those close to her . love amritsar ‘WE ARE HEARTBROKEN’ V BAITHAK PROGRAMME IOLIN maestro Prashant Mishra will present An Intimate Evening of Violin Strings at 1462, Ashiana Estate on April 26. This curated programme is being organised under the banner of The Baithak Circle, Amritsar. Mishra is a Hindustani classical violinist and assistant professor at Rajasthan Sangeet Sansthan, Jaipur. A Benaras Hindu University alumnus, he is also the author of Violin: Bandish Sangrah