MUMBAI: Legendary Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle has passed away at the age of 92, marking the end of an era in Indian and global music.

She had been unwell for the past few months and was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday after developing heart and respiratory complications. She was undergoing treatment in the ICU in critical condition when she breathed her last later that night.

With a musical career spanning over seven decades, Bhosle recorded thousands of songs and left an indelible mark not only on Indian music but also on the global stage. Her songs have remained popular across generations.

Her son, Anand confirmed the news of her demise on Sunday afternoon, which was also widely reported by Indian media. The family has announced that her last rites will be performed on Monday.

One of the most successful and versatile singers in Indian cinema, Bhosle was often compared with her late sister Lata Mangeshkar, another iconic figure in Hindi film music.

Born in 1933 into the Mangeshkar family, Asha Bhosle began her professional singing career at the age of nine. She recorded her first film song in 1943 and had established herself in Bollywood by the 1950s. Over the next three decades, she became a favorite among leading music composers.

Although initially known for dance numbers, she expanded her repertoire to include ghazals and classical based songs, delivering memorable performances in films like Umrao Jaan.

She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer seven times and received two National Film Awards for songs such as “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” and “Mera Kuch Saaman.”

In a 2023 interview with Hindustan Times, Bhosle shared her thoughts on contemporary music, stating that she preferred listening to classical music and artists like Bhimsen Joshi to continue refining her own singing.

Her passing is being mourned as a monumental loss to the world of music.