Dear Editor,
Asha Bhosle has been revered among Indian Guyanese at home and abroad. She has been considered as a legend among Guyanese (at home and in the diaspora) who are tuned in to Indian film songs and music. She has been seen as a singing sensation, with songs considered as timeless and holding nostalgic value for Indian Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean people. She recorded over 12,000 songs, many being top hits in India and in Guyana.[1] Who can forget “Dum Maro Dum”, a major hit song? A giant voice of Bollywood, the Indian entertainment or the movie and music industry, she died early Sunday morning in Mumbai; the 92 year old was cremated Monday evening.[2]
Her passing has been marked by mourning. Guyanese in New York have been speaking about her death and their love and admiration for her. She is remembered with immense respect, her music a staple among Indian Guyanese. She is deserving of all the accolades Guyanese showered on her.
The renowned singer, like her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar, another legend, gave lip-sync voice to hundreds of actresses as a playback singer for over six decades. Their singing provided cultural connection between India and the diaspora, acting as a unifying element, fostering a strong connection with Indian cultural roots.
They have been widely recognized for immense contributions to the Bollywood music industry, which holds significant popularity in Guyana and in the Indian Guyanese and other Indian diaspora.
As news broke Sunday morning that she was no more, she became the talk among Indians who remembered her as a legend. She has been revered in the Indian-Guyanese community, where her music is deeply nostalgic and widely celebrated. The same is true among Indians in Trinidad and Suriname and in other territories of the greater Caribbean region. Many recalled crowding concert halls in USA, Canada, and UK to watch her perform over the last four decades; ditto elder sister Lata. And at home, they watched movies where Asha and Lata sang for scores of actresses. Their songs are considered as staple among Indians globally, transcending generations.
Their songs were of different genres — melancholy, religious, tender, soothing, aching, wistful, sacred, emotional, romantic, mourning, fast tempo or of the dance type. She is considered irreplaceable, and her contribution to the music industry is celebrated with enduring love.
Her contribution to music is celebrated with love, and she, like Lata, are considered as irreplaceable. At many homes, Guyanese played her songs and watched videos in nostalgia, displaying the deep respect and love they have for her and showcasing her immense popularity. She is gone, but her music will remain eternal!
Yours Truly,
Vishnu Bisram
Vishnu Bisram
References
- Asha Bhosle: The Legendary Voice Behind 12,000 Songs — punemirror.com ↩
- Asha Bhosle cremated with full state honours; son Anand lights ... — www.thehindu.com ↩
Sources
- Remember Bollywood legend in Kaieteur News, April 14, 2026
- Remember Bollywood legend in Guyana Times, April 14, 2026
