India, April 12 -- Veteran actor Helen and Asha Bhosle shared one of Hindi cinema's most iconic singer-performer pairings, with over 270 songs together. From O Haseena Zulfonwali (Teesri Manzil, 1966), Aa Jaane Jaan (Intaqam, 1969), Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan, 1971) to Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay, 1975), Yeh Mera Dil (Don, 1978), and and more, their collaboration defined the glamour and rhythm of an era.

Speaking shortly after the news broke, Helen said, "This is shocking. She was so healthy and we had been in touch. I'm feeling terrible and short of words. I remember how she would modulate her voice and add that oomph to my songs, which made it more enjoyable to perform. We have lost a gem." Their bond went beyond music. In an earlier in...