Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle was cremated with full state honours at Shivaji Park crematorium on Monday, as Mumbai bid an emotional farewell to one of India’s most iconic voices. A gun salute marked the final rites, performed by her son Anand in accordance with Hindu rituals.
The last journey of the 92-year-old singer began from her residence in Lower Parel, where her body, wrapped in the tricolour and placed in a glass casket, was kept for public homage. It was later taken in a flower-decked cortege to Shivaji Park, with hundreds of fans lining the streets to pay their respects.
At the crematorium, priests recited mantras as the pyre, decorated with marigolds, was lit. Members of the family, including granddaughter Zanai, were seen in tears, while sister and singer Usha Mangeshkar and brother and composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar were present for the final rites.
The state funeral was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with several film personalities including Aamir Khan, Vicky Kaushal and music composer A.R. Rahman.
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As the nation’s tribute to the musical legend unfolded, singers Shaan, Sudesh Bhosle and Anup Jalota rendered musical homage at the cremation ground. Songs such as “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana” and “Pyaar Ke Mod Pe” were performed as mourners joined in softly singing her evergreen numbers.
Crowds gathered outside the venue and along the procession route, chanting “Asha Tai amar rahe” as the cortege moved slowly through Mumbai’s streets. Many fans were seen singing classics including “Aaiye Meherbaan” and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko”, turning the farewell into a collective remembrance of her music.
Earlier in the day, tributes poured in at her residence, where prominent personalities from cinema, politics and sports paid their last respects.
Bhosle, who began her career at the age of 10 and went on to record over 12,000 songs across genres and languages, passed away on Sunday due to multi-organ failure.
Her cremation marked the end of an era in Indian music, with Mumbai witnessing a rare convergence of grief and melody as one of its most celebrated voices was laid to rest with full state honours.
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