Damon Albarn has paid his respects to Bollywood icon Asha Boshle, saying that she had “the voice of an angel”.
Born in 1933, the Bollywood star was one of the most celebrated Indian singers of all time, recording more than 12,000 songs and earning the nickname ‘Sadi rani’ (Punjabi for “Our Queen”).
In her long and storied career she worked with artists including Boy George and Gorillaz, and also was the inspiration for Cornershop’s song ‘Brimful Of Asha’.
She died over the weekend (Sunday April 12), aged 92, after being admitted to hospital in Mumbai due to extreme exhaustion and a chest infection. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi was among those who paid tribute, and he said that she “will continue to inspire generations and her songs will forever echo in people’s lives.”
Now, Damon Albarn has paid his respects too and described how he was inspired by her long before their collaboration on Gorillaz’ latest album ‘The Mountain’.
“Asha Bhosle was someone I had admired from afar for many years, her voice was my gateway to the marvellous world of Bollywood,” the Gorillaz and Blur frontman wrote, sharing two images of them together.
“I met her twice in Mumbai and was entranced by her grace and poise at the age of 91. The memory of sitting cross-legged playing R. D. Burman’s harmonium while she sang will stay with me forever,” he continued. “I send my deepest condolences to her lovely family. Asha, you had the voice of an angel, we love you.”
Boy George, meanwhile, added: “God bless the amazing Asha Bhosle who sang the glorious vocals on ‘Bow Down Mister’. Rest in peace, your voice was like silk.”
Bhosle featured on Gorillaz ‘The Shadowy Light’ from ‘The Mountain’ alongside Gruff Rhys, Ajay Prasanna, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash. It would later be confirmed as her final musical contribution before her death.
Much of that album was recorded in India during a time when both Albarn and Jamie Hewlett were looking for peace after the passing of their fathers, and the tracklist explores themes of grief, hope and spirituality.
“Both Jamie and I lost our fathers,” Damon said. “We did two quite amazing, magical trips to India. India is a very interesting place to carry grief, because they have a very positive outlook on death.”
“I did things I’d never done before. I swam in the Ganges in Varanasi. I watched the bodies being burnt on the banks of the Ganges,” he added. “I took my dad’s ashes there and I cast them in the river. It was very beautiful.”
The record was given a four-star review from NME and praised as “a world-building ode to death and starting over”.
“‘The Mountain’ is an album that celebrates the love you leave behind, the people you touch, the spirit of giving more than you take, how we’re all the same when it’s done,” it read.
For the first time ever, Albarn Gorillaz are set to visit India in 2027 to tour the new record. The shows begin in Bengaluru on January 23, before heading to Mumbai, hosting a show at Jio World Garden in the Bandra Kurla Complex on January 27. Find tickets here.
