Veteran singer Sudesh Bhosle has spoken about his close bond with the legendary icon Asha Bhosleremembering his discipline, passion and warmth. Asha Bhosle died on 12 April 2026 in Mumbai at the age of 92. He breathed his last at Breach Candy Hospital after a brief illness caused by a chest infection and exhaustion.In a recent chat with Meri Saheli, Bhosle reflected on their decades-long association, Asha Bhosle was committed to music till the end, both emotionally and physically.
“We never stopped talking”
Talking about their close relationship, Bhosle said, “Our bond has always been very close. We never stopped talking, either he would call me or I would call him.”He also recalls a recent interaction that left a lasting impression on him. “Even when he was not well, he told me, ‘Sudesh, write September 8, we have to do a show on my birthday’.” I didn’t know that something would change in a week… but that was his mind.’
‘Riyaaz till the last day’
Emphasizing his discipline, he said that music was essential in his life.“Every time I called him, there would be a tanpura playing in the background. He never left the riyaaz till the end,” she said.Recalling his advice, Bhosle added, “Don’t get into complicated ragas at this age; practice your sa re ga ma double, four times, eight times at speed. If you do that, you won’t be afraid of any stage in the world.”He also revealed, “He also told me recently, ‘In the morning, first get rid of the vibration in your voice, then work on your lung power.’ He continued to work himself until the last day.’
‘Don’t separate me from the music’
Despite age and health concerns, Asha Bhosle continued to play actively, even into her 90s.Bhosle recalls, “At the age of 90, he did a huge show in Dubai and then at Jio Gardens. During the rehearsals, we saw that he was physically tired. “Why do you get so stressed? Why not teach instead?”His response, she said, was unforgettable: “He said, ‘The day someone tells me to stop singing, I’m going to jump out of a window … don’t separate me from the music, the singing or my musicians.'”
“He rehearsed every song, every time”
Talking about her work ethic, Bhosle said Asha Bhosle never took her profession lightly, no matter how many times she performed a song.“Every Sunday, we went to his house for rehearsals. He also sang the songs thousands of times, rehearsing each one before a show,” he shared.“From morning to evening, we worked on every song. That level of dedication is rare.”
“He treated everyone like family”
Beyond music, Bhosle was remembered for his warmth and generosity.“He loved to cook and feed people. If my wife or daughters were visiting, he would take them into the kitchen and teach them recipes,” he said.“He treated everyone as his own, like a son or a brother. He also served tea.”
“He remembered all the notes”
Bhosle also spoke about his extraordinary musical memory.“If a musician played something wrong, he would correct them immediately. He remembered every note, every piece…everything,” he said.
“It broke down in a song”
Sharing an emotional moment, she recalled, “Once I sang ‘Kahin door jab din dhal jaye…’ and she started crying. She said, ‘Everybody has left me… I’m the last one.”He added that revisiting the memories of old studios and legends like Mohammed Rafi and RD Burman would be heartwarming.
“It felt like Sachin was singing”
Recounting his first meeting with her, Bhosle said he was overwhelmed when he heard her sing.“I closed my eyes and sang. When I opened them, she was in tears. “Sachin is standing in front of me and it felt like he was singing,” she said.
