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Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle, whose versatile voice captivated generations of music lovers, has died at the age of 92 in Mumbai. Her son Anand Bhosle confirmed the death, saying her last rites will be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai at 4pm on Monday reports NDTV The veteran singer was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on April 11 after suffering from extreme exhaustion and a chest infection, according to her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle. Asha Bhosle enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than eight decades, delivering numerous hit songs including “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja”, “Kajra Mohabbat Wala”, “Rangeela Re” and “Dil Cheez Kya Hai”. Her death has deeply saddened fans across generations. She began her musical journey at the age of 10, recording her first song for the Marathi film Majha Bal in 1943. Though initially known for lively dance numbers, she later proved her versatility with ghazals and classical songs. The younger sister of iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar, Asha carved out her own identity in the music industry despite frequent comparisons. Their bond remained strong despite long-standing rumours of rivalry. Born into the renowned Mangeshkar family, she was the daughter of Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti Mangeshkar, and sister to Usha Mangeshkar among others. Throughout her career, Asha Bhosle lent her voice to several leading actresses across decades, including Sharmila Tagore, Rekha and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She remained active even in later years, performing live shows and engaging with fans on social media. In 2023, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a concert in Dubai. Asha Bhosle received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards for “Umrao Jaan” (1981) and “Ijaazat” (1988). She was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. Her personal life saw both achievements and hardships. She was first married to Ganpatrao Bhosle, with whom she had three children, before the marriage ended. She later married noted composer Rahul Dev Burman, forming one of Indian music’s most celebrated partnerships. She is survived by her son Anand Bhosle. Source: NDTV

Indian music fans are in shock and paying tribute after beloved singer Arijit Singh announced he is stepping away from Bollywood playback singing, ending an era that defined contemporary Indian cinema music. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday,Arijit Singh said, “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” Social media quickly flooded with heartfelt posts praising his voice, described by many as “the soundtrack of our joys and heartbreaks” and “a part of every moment in our lives.” Playback singing, where singers record songs that actors lip-sync on screen, has been central to Bollywood storytelling. Singh’s voice became inseparable from this tradition, lending depth to romantic ballads and hit soundtracks for over a decade. He has also worked with global stars like Ed Sheeran and performed to sold-out crowds at venues including London’s Wembley Arena. While he did not reveal his reasons for quitting, reports suggest Singh will complete ongoing projects and continue creating music independently, exploring personal and experimental ventures outside commercial films. Known for his soft-spoken personality, Singh has long avoided the spotlight, rarely giving interviews and keeping public appearances low-key. Born in 1987 in Jiaganj, West Bengal, he grew up surrounded by classical music, training in vocals and tabla from an early age. His first national recognition came in 2005 on the reality show Fame Gurukul, though he did not win. His breakthrough arrived in 2013 with Tum hi ho song from Aashiqui 2, a song that redefined romantic music in Bollywood with its raw, intimate emotion. Singh’s career flourished afterward, recording in multiple languages and collaborating with top composers like AR Rahman, Pritam, and Vishal–Shekhar. Despite fame, he preferred a simple life in his hometown, often spotted riding his scooter or meeting friends, rather than embracing city glamour. Read More: Arijit Singh announces retirement from playback singing Fans now speculate what the future holds for the singer, interpreting his decision as a personal move away from commercial pressures or a new creative chapter. Whatever path he chooses, Arijit Singh’s voice will remain a defining presence in India’s music scene. With inputs from BBC  

In a landmark achievement for Indian music, the celebrated band Shakti, featuring the legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, percussionist V Selvaganesh, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, clinched the Best Global Music Album award for their latest work, “This Moment,” at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Shortly after the ceremony, musical icon AR Rahman, who was in attendance, shared a moment of pride on social media, posting a selfie with Shakti’s acclaimed members – Mahadevan, Hussain, and Selvaganesh.T op Grammy Award winners of 2024 Rahman’s post, filled with joy, praised their remarkable success: “It’s raining Grammys for India…Congrats Grammy winners #ustadzakirhussain (3 Grammys) @shankar.mahadevan (first Grammy) @selvaganesh,” capturing the celebratory spirit of the moment. In an additional feather in their cap, Zakir Hussain, along with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, also received the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance for their collaborative piece, “Pashto.” This composition further earned accolades as Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, highlighting the diverse talents within the Indian music scene. Miley Cyrus wins record of the year at Grammys Ricky Kej, an Indian music composer and Grammy laureate himself, extended his congratulations via a heartfelt video of Shakti's acceptance speech, emphasizing the brilliance of these musicians and their contribution to India's global recognition in music. Kej’s enthusiastic post on X celebrated the band’s victory: “SHAKTI wins a Grammy!!! Through this album 4 brilliant Indian musicians won Grammys!! Just amazing. India is shining in every direction…” This year’s Grammy success for Shakti and its members adds to a growing list of international accolades for Indian artists, including AR Rahman’s dual Grammy wins in 2010 for his work on “Slumdog Millionaire”. Taylor Swift wins Grammy album of the year for the 4th time