New Delhi, Apr 12 (PTI) French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou on Sunday expressed grief over the death of singing legend Asha Bhosle, and described her as a “global icon” who had also touched audiences in his country during a concert in 2014.
Australian High Commissioner Philip Green said he was among the many foreigners who have cherished the music of the “evergreen” singer.
Many Indian ambassadors posted in various countries also paid tribute to the iconic playback singer, who died at a Mumbai hospital on Sunday. She was 92.
Political leaders, film stars, singers, and other personalities recalled the legacy of the singer, fondly addressed as “Asha ji” by her admirers, with some describing her as an “ambassador of Indian culture”, while others
termed her death the “end of an era”.
Among the diplomatic corps here, French envoy Mathou posted on X, “Deeply saddened by the demise of Asha Bhosle, whose remarkable career spanned over eight decades.” “A global icon, she also touched French audiences, notably with her Théâtre du Châtelet concert in 2014. Our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones and fans across the world,” he said and also shared a photo of her.
Australian envoy Green, in a post on X, said, “I am among the many foreigners who have cherished the music of the evergreen #AshaBhosle. She will live on in our hearts – especially every time I hear ‘Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Deewana’. @ashabhosle”.
The legendary singer had even once collaborated with former Australian cricketer Brett Lee, producing a hit track.
She was a legend who refused to be bracketed into any one genre and stepped out of the shadow of her sister and iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar to create her own universe in Hindi playback singing.
She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday evening due to chest infection and exhaustion, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle said.
The legacy of Asha, one half of the Mangeshkar duo whose versatility was unmatched even by Lata, was also recalled by India’s Ambassador to Spain, Jayant Khobragade.
Khobragade, a 1995-batch IFS officer and an accomplished painter, is also passionate about music.
“The variety of songs she sang, from soul-stirring ghazals and nazms such as ‘Mera Kuch Samaan’, romantic numbers like ‘Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge’ or playful songs, done with Pancham da, touched all aspects of human life. Asha ji has been a part of our lives and shall remain that way forever. A huge loss. May her soul rest in peace,” the envoy told PTI from Madrid.
Khobragade said her songs are “an integral part of our lives as no celebrations in our households were complete without her songs, from ‘antakhshari’ among family and friends to birthday celebrations and weddings,” adding “we understood and expressed emotions using her songs”.
The Indian Embassy in Bahrain, in an Instagram post, paid tribute to the singer, saying her extraordinary voice and legacy enriched Indian music for generations. PTI KND RHL
