New Delhi: The passing of legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle has left the Indian music fraternity reflecting on the extraordinary influence she had on generations of artists. Among those remembering her warmly is singer and former Union minister Babul Supriyo, who shared personal memories of touring and performing with the iconic vocalist during the early years of his career.
Asha Bhosle, fondly known as Asha Tai, passed away on April 12 at the age of 92. The legendary singer died at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to multiple organ failure after being admitted a day earlier with severe exhaustion and a chest infection. She was laid to rest with full state honours at Shivaji Park crematorium on April 13, as artists, political leaders and fans gathered to bid her farewell.
Babul Supriyo reflects on Asha Bhosle’s personality
In an exclusive conversation with News9Live, Babul Supriyo spoke about the singer’s remarkable presence and the warmth she carried wherever she went. “Ashaji’s most intriguing part was her personality. She always made everyone in the room comfortable. The aura she had, the awe she had around her never felt intimidating,” he said.
Supriyo, who began performing with Asha Tai in the mid-1990s, said her versatility remained unmatched. According to him, the singer effortlessly crossed musical boundaries and genres. “There isn’t a kind of song that she hasn’t sung. She had huge hits in Bengali too. She gave a different dimension to Rabindra Sangeet,” he recalled.
The singer added, “I had been touring with her, doing programs with her since 1996. She has known me since I was 26-27 years old. I’ve grown up seeing her as a person with different dimensions. I’ve seen her as a grandmother, mother, mother-in-law, etc. I’ve seen her affection to her granddaughter.”
Memories of their first show together
Babul Supriyo also shared a nostalgic anecdote from his first live performance alongside the legendary singer. “The first ever show I did with her was in 1997 during our US-Canada tour. Because I were to perform with Asha Bhosle, I was carrying a lot of formal suits and ties with me,” he revealed.
He remembered how Asha Bhosle gently advised him to relax and dress more casually. “She didn’t say anything for the first two shows. Before the third show she said, ‘You should dress up like your age. Wears something stylish like jeans and nice shirts and jackets,’” Babul Supriyo stated.
He added that he and others who knew her closely will continue to cherish the memories they shared. “We’re all going to miss her. We were planning to visit her Panchgani bungalow. But it kept getting postponed. That regret will remain with me.”