LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Asha Bhosle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Asha Bhosle (born September 8, 1933) is an Indian singer. She is best known as a Bollywood playback singer, although she has a much wider repertoire. Her career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over 950 Bollywood movies and sold many records. She is the sister of the equally accomplished Lata Mangeshkar.

LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Asha Bhosle is considered one of the most versatile South Asian singers "” her range of songs includes film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian Classical music, folk songs, qawallis, and Rabindra Sangeet. She has sung in over 14 languages including Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, English, Russian, Czech, Nepali, Malay and Malayalam.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Asha Bhosle is believed to have sung over 12,000 songs. Though her sister, Lata Mangeshkar was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records during 1974-1991, for having sung the most songs in the world, reputed sources have introduced concerns to its veracity, claiming that the Guinness counts were exaggerated and Bhosle has recorded more songs than Mangeshkar. Bhosle herself pointed out that she has sung the maximum recordings by any singer - 12,000.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Asha Bhosle was born in the small hamlet of Goar in Sangli, Maharashtra, into the musical Marathi family of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar. Her father was a theater actor and classical singer who had been born in the village of Mangeshi in Goa. When she was nine years old, her father died. The family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Bombay. She and her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar began singing and acting in films to support their family. She sang her first film song Chala Chala Nav Bala for the Marathi movie Majha Bal (1943). The music for the film was composed by Datta Dawjekar. She made her Hindi film debut when she sang the song Saawan aaya for Hansraj Behl's Chunariya (1948).

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



At the age of 16, she eloped with 31-year old Ganpatrao Bhosle (1916-1966), marrying him against her family's wishes. Ganpatrao was sister Lata's personal secretary. The marriage failed miserably. Her husband and in-laws mistreated her. After a few years of marriage, Bhosle was turned out (around 1960) by a suspicious Ganpatrao and she went to her maternal home with two children and pregnant with her third child, Anand. She continued to sing in films to earn money.

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At the age of 16, she eloped with 31-year old Ganpatrao Bhosle (1916-1966), marrying him against her family's wishes. Ganpatrao was sister Lata's personal secretary. The marriage failed miserably. Her husband and in-laws mistreated her. After a few years of marriage, Bhosle was turned out (around 1960) by a suspicious Ganpatrao and she went to her maternal home with two children and pregnant with her third child, Anand. She continued to sing in films to earn money.

Young and insentitive to her family's wishes, and after two children, one would have thought that would have been the end to her troubles but this came back to haunt her as a mistake that anyone could have made.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Prominent playback singers like Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar (her sister) monopolized the singing for the "heroine" roles and the big films, whilst Asha Bhosle used to get the assignments they did not take: singing for the bad girls and vamps, or songs in the second-grade movies. In the 1950s, she sang more songs than any other playback singer in Bollywood, yet most of these were in low budget B or C-grade films. Her earliest songs were composed by A R Qureshi, Sajjad Hussain and Ghulam Mohammed, most of which failed to do well. Singing in Dilip Kumar-starrer Sangdil (1952), composed by Sajjad Hussain, she got reasonable recognition. Consequently, film director Bimal Roy gave her a chance to sing in Parineeta (1953). Raj Kapoor signed her to sing the song Nanhe Munne Bachche with Mohammed Rafi in Boot Polish (1954), which gained popularity.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



O. P. Nayyar gave Asha Bhosle a big break in C.I.D. (1956). She first achieved success in B. R. Chopra's Naya Daur (1957), composed by him. His collaboration with Bhosle produced many hits. Later, she established herself and received patronage of composers such as Sachin Dev Burman and Ravi. Bhosle and Nayyar had a professional and personal parting of ways in the 1970s.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



In 1966, Asha's performance in the duets from music director R D Burman's first successful movie, Teesri Manzil won popular acclaim. Their collaboration produced numerous hits in the 1970s and resulted in a marriage. In 1960s and 1970s, she became the voice of Bollywood's most famous dancer, Helen. It is said that Helen would attend her recording sessions so that she could understand the song better and plan dance steps accordingly.[citation needed] Some of the most popular Asha Bhosle-Helen numbers are Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), O Haseena Zulfon Wali (Teesri Manzil), and Yeh Mera Dil (Don).

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



In Umrao Jaan (1981) and Ijaazat (1987), she sang traditional ghazals and proved her versatility, winning the coveted National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Her film activities continued into the 1990s. Her performance in the 1995 hit Rangeela was particularly notable. As late as 2005, 72-year-old Asha Bhosle's numbers for the Tamil film Chandramukhi and the pop song Lucky Lips for Salman Khan-starrer Lucky were chartbusters. Some of the other popular Tamil songs sung by Bhosle are Oh! Butterfly, September Maadham and Vennila Vennila.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Umrao Jaan, 1981

By 1980s, Asha Bhosle had been stereotyped as a "cabaret singer" and a "pop crooner". In Rekha-starrer Umrao Jaan, she sang ghazals like Dil cheez kya hai, In aankhon ki masti ke, Ye kya jagah hai doston and Justju jiski thi. The songs proved her capable of doing fairly serious songs. The music director Khayyam, had lowered her pitch by half a note. Asha herself was surprised that she could sing so differently. The ghazals won her the first National Award of her career and proved her versatility.

Will feature a few from the film 'Umrao Jaan' when we get to Ashaji's songs.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Ashaji on her recieving the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

I consider Filmfare Awards as the most prestigious because they're based on the public's choice--and for me their love and appreciation is foremost. I have also seen this award take birth and grow in popularity both here and abroad. I've been honoured with seven playback awards. I was awarded a special trophy a few years ago, at the insistence of the public, for the Rangeela song years after I had stepped out of the competition. This Lifetime Achievement Award has come to me at a time when I still have the enthusiasm and energy to do a lot many things in music ranging from Indian classical to Indipop. Filmfare and The Times of India group have given me just the right impetus, that encouragement to go on.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE


Nostalgic, Asha, Rafi, Sudesh and RD Burman.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Filmfare Awards

Ashaji was the only singer who was able to compete with Lata Mangeshkar, she won the filmfare award consecutively in 1967 & 1968 when Lata still used to accept the Filmfare Award. After 1969, with Lata giving up the Filmfare award the coast was clear for Asha Bhosle and she went on to win the award 7 times which is the maximum any female singer ever won.She gave up the award after 1977. Though Kishore Kumar won the maximum number of filmfare awards, it was because unlike the Mangeshkar sisters he never refused the award. So if we compare till 1977 Asha had won the maximum number of filmfare awards ( Male & Female).

1967 - Garibon Ki Suno [DUS LAKH]
1968 - Parde Mein Rehne Do [SHIKHAR]
1971 - Piya Tu Ab To Aaja [CARAVAN]
1972 - Dum Maro Dum [HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA]
1973 - Hone Lagi Hain Raat [NAINA]
1974 - Chain Se Humko [PRAN JAYE PAR VACHAN NA JAYE]
1977 - Yeh Mera Dil [DON]

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Incidentally the other top female playback singer to won the Filmfare Award for seven times, was Alka Yagnik

Alka had the most nominations for her songs numbering 37

Asha Bhosle and Alka Yagnik, with 7 wins each, hold the record for most awards in this category. Lata Mangeshkar, Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Shreya Ghoshal have won the award four times. Bhosle won the award in a record of four consecutive years (1972-75), followed by the three consecutive wins of Paudwal (1991-1993), Krishnamurthy (1995-1997) and Yagnik (2000-2002), respectively.

Two singers have achieved the feat of receiving all the nominations of this category in a particular year: Asha Bhosle was the single nominee in 1973, having all the three nominations to her credit, and Alka Yagnik was the single nominee in 1994, having all the four nominations to her credit, one of which she shared--and eventually jointly won--with Ila Arun. Yagnik's four nominations in that year along with Bhosle's four out of the five nominations in 1975 also give them the record for most number of Best Female Playback Singer nominations in a single year.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

It must be noted that in 1971, Lata Mangeshkar made the unusual gesture of giving up the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award, in order to promote fresh talent. After receiving the award in 1979, Asha Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations thereafter.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

An Interview done thirteen years ago by Ashaji

It's noon at her Peddar Road flat in Mumbai. Asha Bhosle is in the kitchen, in a light pink housecoat. She loves to cook, this quintessential Maharashtrian housewife. A "simple, homely woman" as she describes herself, she often goes to the market with her daughter-in-law Anuja to buy vegetables and fish. Ashaji spoke about how her life centres on her family and her music, her marital life and her relationship with her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar.
Excerpts:

What motivates you to sing at this age?

I constantly need something new and challenging. We saw someone encashing on my old popular song (Chura liya), so we thought why shouldn't I do it. My family, especially my younger son Anand, pushed me.

How is your voice still so young?

Riyaz (practice), 45 minutes every day. Actually, you sound as old as you feel. I always felt young at heart.

Who do you give credit for your success?

My parents and God. I believe in destiny and the philosophy of karma. Many people have contributed, but I struggled alone. For the latest success, the credit really goes to my children.

What's your mantra for success?

Take risks. Never say die. It has worked for me. My priorities were children, then music. Whatever came my way to help me, I took it. The rest I dumped ruthlessly.

Was there no disappointment?

Initially, when I got into the world of music, I was treated like an underdog. But I couldn't have backed out.

What about the men in your life?

The children have grown up, and I feel uncomfortable if someone points out the hard times I've had. Ganpatrao and Pancham (R.D. Burman) are no more. I had a unique relationship with Pancham. He was a great music director who exploited my vocal cords like nobody could. We both loved music, food and the good things in life. And yet maintained our privacy, by choice.

Wasn't the relationship strained later?

Not exactly. Wrong people around him misguided him. Any successful artiste loves chamchas (cronies). They tried to separate us. When I couldn't tolerate it any more, I explained the situation to him. He realised it.

How different are you from Lata?

She is older by four years, she is like my mother. We have kept our professions separate from family life.

But isn't she a rival?

What are we talking about? Seniority or numbers? What she can do, I might not be able to. What I did, she can't. It is like two people who went to the moon: the person who took the first step got all the acclaim. It was a healthy competition. I always wanted to do better, that zid has made me what I am today.

How do you feel when people compare the two?

Good and bad. No one can match her. It is an honour that people compare my voice with hers. But bad, because we are two separate identities with different kinds of voices.

Sheela Raval (1997)

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

GHAZALS OF UMRAO JAAN:

These were and can be regarded as classics because of their popularity and the conviction that Ashaji put into bringing these to the fore IN AANKHON KI MASTI, JUSTU JU, YE KYA JAGE HAIN DOSTON, all proves her critics wrong, her superb renditions puts her right up there with the Ghazals Greats:

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE



Asha Bhosle was asked "You must have sung around 25,000 songs till date". She replied, "no singer in the entire world can humanely sing 25,000 songs. In fact I would like to state humbly that I am the only singer who has sung the maximum number of songs 12,000. If you sing one song a day, you can humanly sing 365 songs a year and 3650 songs in ten years. In around 60 years of my career I could sing 12,000 songs because there were times I had sung even four songs a day."

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

ASHA ON "ASHA AUR KHAYYAM"

On Asha Aur Khayyam: After Umrao Jaan I had wanted to cut an album with Khayyam sahab. We discussed the idea with a few music companies, but they turned out to be so kanjoos. They didn't want to spend on the album. PolyGram was an exception. It willingly agreed to the album and gave us a free hand to work on it.

I knew from experience what a taskmaster Khayyam sahab is and his insistence on rehearsals. I assured him that I would rehearse with him for a month or two before recording for the album. While rehearsing for the ghazals, I felt that the lyrics were reflecting my story. It was as if the lyricists knew the ups and downs in my life. I had tears in my eyes while singing some of the ghazals.

On the declining number of ghazal patrons: It's really sad that today not many people understand ghazals and appreciate their beauty. Urdu is such a polite, polished language. You hear people saying, "Ek ˜gajal' gao." That's because we are not promoting Urdu, which is one of the most beautiful languages of India. It's so rich, yet we are disowning it and distancing ourselves from it.

I remember when I had just begun my singing career. I never could get the Urdu pronounciation and words right. Hum ghati Marathi ke bachche, humein kya maloom Urdu kya hai (We were ghati Marathi-speaking locals, what would we know about Urdu). But the writers and the lyricists helped me understand the finer nuances of the language and evoked my interest in the language. I even kept a tutor, a maulana, and learnt Alif, be, te, se. Today I am proud that I can get my Urdu words right. Urdu is very much our language, our culture, and it is a pity that it is not spoken widely. It would be great if it is taught widely and people appreciate its charm and becomes well-versed in it.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

THE DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD:

Asha Bhosle : A Contented Soul

Like poetry in motion. That is how the lyrics of life move for Asha Bhosle. The journey has been a long one. But she has always had a spring in her step, a song on her lips. And now, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The lips curl upwards to shape a smile. ˜˜Who wouldn't want to receive an award?'' A melodious silence punctuates the pause. ˜˜BR Chopra, my rakhi brother, called up to inform me that I had been chosen to receive the award. It was disbelief at first. Then the reality of the truth took over.

But I'll just say that I am lucky... and continue with my work. Just like I have always done.'' Asha is happy. Because ˜˜people are happier than I am about my receiving the award!'' Call it her sense of humor or what you will, but charm is second nature to this lady. And this charm takes talk of the Dadasaheb Phalke coming a little too late in its stride. ˜˜I have never been on the lookout for recognition. I just do what I am meant to do.'' Asha Bhosle, of course, is meant to sing... cut albums... perform live... entertain. And, occasionally, feel nervous. Concerts disconcert Asha Bhosle. ˜˜I do feel a bit nervous while performing live. But the encouragement of the audience is all I need to feel reassured. What I like about live performances is the instant feedback of the audience.''

The audience has its favourites. Asha has her own. ˜˜When I think of playback singers, I think of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Among music directors, I like RD Burman "”and not because he was my husband.'' As a singer who sings every song as if it is her first one, Asha does not blow her own trumpet. But then, as a singer whose songs find a voice through millions of voices, she doesn't need to.

Asha is a satisfied soul, she is satisfied with her ˜˜career,'' satisfied with her ˜˜family life'' and satisfied with the way she is. Being Asha Bhosle is enough for Asha Bhosle. And that is an achievement worthy of an award.

By Taniya Sahni:

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

O P NAYYAR:

Music director O. P. Nayyar's association with Asha Bhosle is part of Bollywood lore. He was the composer who first gave Asha her own distinct identity. Many people have speculated about a romantic relationship between the two.

Nayyar first met Asha in 1952, at the music recording of Chham Chhama Chham. He first called her for a film called Mangu (1954), and gave her a big break in CID (1956). However, it was the success of Naya Daur (1957), that made the duo very popular. After 1959, she was emotionally and professionally involved with Nayyar.

The team of O.P. Nayyar and Asha Bhosle is best remembered for their breezy and sometimes sirenish songs. Some good examples of their sensuous numbers are Aaiye meherbaan picturised on Madhubala (Howrah Bridge, 1958) and Yeh hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera picturised on Mumtaz (Mere Sanam, 1965). They recorded songs for many hit movies like Naya Daur (1957), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Howrah Bridge (1958), Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), etc. Some of their most popular songs include Aao huzur tumko (Kismat), Jaaiye aap kahan (Mere Sanam) etc. O.P. Nayyar used the Asha Bhosle-Mohammad Rafi duo for his most popular duets. some of these songs include Ude jab jab zulfein teri (Naya Daur). Main pyaar ka rahi hoon (Ek Musafir Ek Haseena), Deewana Hua Baadal, Ishaaron hi isharon mein (Kashmir Ki Kali) etc.

Asha recorded her last song for O.P. Nayyar in the movie Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974). The solo number Chain se got many awards, but it was not included in the movie.

They split on August 5, 1972. It is not clear what made them part their ways. On being asked the reason for their parting, O P Nayyar once said, "I know astrology very well. I knew that one day I had to part with her. Something also happened, that upset me, so I left her." Nevertheless, he also said "...now that I am seventy-six, I can say that the most important person in my life was Asha Bhosle. She was the best person I ever met."

The parting of Asha Bhosle and O.P. Nayyar was bitter, and probably therefore she has hesitated to give Nayyar his due. While talking about O.P. Nayyar in an interview with The Times of India, she once remarked - "Whichever composer gave me work, it was because my voice was suited to his music at that point. No one musician did me any favor by asking me to sing for him." She gives the credit for her first big break to B. R. Chopra, the producer of Naya Daur.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

KHAYYAM

Another music director who recognized Bhosle's talent early was Khayyam. His partnership with Asha Bhosle dates back to his first movie Biwi (1948). Khayyam gave her some good assignments in the 1950s, including Dard and Phir Subah Hogi. But the team is chiefly remembered for the songs of Umrao Jaan.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

RAVI

Music composer Ravi considered Asha one of his favorite singers. She sang for his first movie Vachan (1955). The melodious lullaby from the movie, Chandamama door ke became an overnight hit among young mothers in India. Ravi got her to sing bhajans for the movies Gharana, Grihasti, Kajal and Phool Aur Patthar, at a time when most of the composers remembered her only when they needed to record B-grade songs picturized on the vamps or the side-heroines. Ravi and Asha Bhosle recorded a variety of songs, including the popular funny duet with Kishore Kumar - C A T...Cat maane billi (Dilli Ka Thug). The bhajan Tora man darpan (Kajal) is considered one of Asha Bhosle's best songs.

They also recorded songs for many popular movies like Waqt, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Gumrah, Bahu Beti, China Town, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Dhund, Humraaz, and Kajal with her. For Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Ravi wanted Geeta Dutt (the wife of producer Guru Dutt) to sing the songs. But when she backed out, Guru Dutt insisted that Asha Bhosle sing the songs

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

SACHIN DEV BURMAN

One of Bollywood's most famous composers, Sachin Dev Burman and his favorite singer, Lata Mangeshkar, were not on good terms from 1957 to 1962. During this period, S D Burman used Asha Bhosle as his lead female voice. She and S D Burman gave many hit songs in movies such as Kaala Pani, Kaala Bazaar, Insaan Jaag Utha, Lajwanti, Sujata and Teen Deviyaan (1965). They recorded many songs together after 1962 as well. Most famous of these songs were Asha Bhosle's duets with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. The song Ab ke baras in Bimal Roy's Bandini (1963) consolidated her position as a lead singer. The seductive song Raat Akeli Hai from Jewel Thief (1967), picturised on Tanuja, became very popular.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

ILLAIRAAJA

The prolific south Indian film composer Ilaiyaraaja began employing Asha Bhosle's vocals in the early 1980s, their earliest collaboration being for the film Moondram Pirai (1982) (or Sadma, its Hindi remake in 1983). Their association continued, mostly through the latter half of the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of their notable songs from this period include Shenbagamae (Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran, 1987, Tamil). In 2000, Asha sung Ilaiyaraaja's theme song for Kamal Haasan's political film Hey Ram. The song, Janmon Ki Jwala (or Aparna's Theme), was a duet with ghazal singer Hariharan.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

A R RAHMAN

A. R. Rahman is given the credit for Asha Bhosle's 'comeback' with Rangeela (1994). Songs like Tanha Tanha and Rangeela Re were chartbusters. She and Rahman went on to record more hits like Mujhe Rang De (Thakshak), Radha Kaise Na Jale (Lagaan, duet with Udit Narayan), Kahin Aag Lage (Taal), O Bhanware (Daud, duet with K. J. Yesudas), Venilla Venilla (Iruvar,1999), Dhuan Dhuan (Meenaxi,2004).

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

JAIDEV

When S D Burman's assistant Jaidev started giving music independently, he got Asha to sing some of his songs as well. They worked in Hum Dono (1961), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Do Boond Pani (1971) and other movies. In 1971, the pair released an LP of eight non-film devotional songs and ghazals called An Unforgettable Treat. Asha considered Jaidev a close friend who stood by her when she was struggling personally and professionally. Upon his death in 1987, she released a compilation album of lesser-known songs he had composed for her, called Suranjali.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Partnership with music directors

ANNU MALIK

Composer Anu Malik and Asha have recorded many hit songs together, including songs for his first movie Sohni Mahiwal (1984). Their most popular songs include Filhaal (Filhaal), Kitabein bahut si (Baazigar) among others. The four lines sung by Asha in Anu Malik's Jab dil mile (Yaadein) stood out among voices of Sukhwinder Singh, Udit Narayan and Sunidhi Chauhan. Asha had also sung for Anu Malik's father Sardar Malik in the 1950s and 1960s, most notably in Saranga (1960).

OTHER COMPOSERS

Madan Mohan recorded a number of songs with Asha, including the popular folk number Jhumka Gira Re from Mera Saaya (1966). In Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Asha sang the Jaaneman Jaaneman number with K. J. Yesudas for Salil Chowdhury. Salil's 1956 movie Jagte Raho also had a number recorded by Asha, Thandi Thandi Saawan ki Phuhaar. Another Asha patron is the young composer Sandeep Chowta, who got her to sing Kambakht Ishq (A duet with Sonu Nigam) (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, 2001). The song gained major popularity among the Indian youth.

Asha has worked with Lata-patrons like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Naushad, Ravindra Jain, N Dutta, Hemant Kumar. Once when Naushad was asked to sum up the essential difference between Lata and Asha, he said that Asha "lacks certain something which Lata, and Lata alone has". Later he accepted in an interview, "May be I said it because I then had a closed ear on Asha". Naushad, later in his life, also admitted that he has been unfair to Asha Bhonsle. Asha has also worked with other noted Bollywood composers like Jatin Lalit, Bappi Lahiri, Kalyanji Anandji, Usha Khanna, Chitragupt, and Roshan.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

NON BOLLYWOOD MUSIC: PRIVATE ALBUMS:

In a rare feat, noted lyricist, Gulzar, music director, R.D. Burman and Asha Bhosle, came together in 1987, to create a double album, titled, Dil Padosi Hai, which was released on September 8, 1987, Asha Bhosle's birthday. In 1995, Asha underwent the gatha bandan (thread-tying) ceremony with Hindustani classical music maestro Ali Akbar Khan to learn a classical repertoire held within the Maihar gharana (stylistic school of Indian classical music), as handed down to Khan by his father Allauddin Khan (the guru of Ravi Shankar). Later, Asha and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan recorded eleven fixed compositions (or bandishes) in California for Legacy, a private album that won them a Grammy Award nomination.

In 1990s, Asha experimented with the remixed R D Burman songs. She was criticized by many, including Khayyam for tampering with old melodies. Nevertheless, albums like Rahul And I became quite popular. In 1997, Asha did a private Indipop album Janam Samjha Karo with Leslie Lewis. The album was hugely popular and won her many awards including the 1997 MTV Award.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

NON BOLLYWOOD MUSIC: PRIVATE ALBUMS:

Ashha had been once asked by the director B R Ishaara to compose music for one of his films, but she had politely declined. In 2002, she turned music composer with the album Aap Ki Asha, an eight-song music and video album. The lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri (his last lyrics) and the music was composed by Asha herself. The album was released by Sachin Tendulkar on May 21, 2001 at a lavish party in Mumbai. The album received mixed reviews.

Asha had spotted Pakistani singer Adnan Sami's talent when he was about 10 years old. At that time was performing in London, with R D Burman. It was she who had asked him to pursue his interests in music seriously. When Adnan grew up and became a professional musician, Asha sang the title duet with him for his best-selling album Kabhi to nazar milao. The two came together again in the album Barse Badal. The album comprises eight songs, based on Indian Classical music. She contributed the song Yun Na Thi to the recording Womad Talking Book Volume Four: An Introduction to Asia 1 on Womad Records.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

NON BOLLYWOOD MUSIC: PRIVATE ALBUMS:

Asha has sung ghazals for many albums like Meraj-E-Ghazal, Aabshar-E-Ghazal and Kashish. In 2005, Asha released a self-title album (Asha), a tribute to the four ghazal maestros - Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum and Jagjit Singh. The album features eight of her favorite ghazals like Farida Khanum’s Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, Ghulam Ali’s Chupke Chupke, Aawargi and Dil Mein Ek Lahar, Jagjit Singh’s Ahista Ahista and Mehdi Hassan’s Ranjish Hi Sahi, Rafta Rafta and Mujhe Tum Nazar Se. These classic ghazals were recreated with modern sounds by the musician Pandit Somesh Mathur. The album was aimed at the younger generation, who, according to Asha, are "turned off" by the traditional sounds of tabla and sarangi.

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NON BOLLYWOOD MUSIC: PRIVATE ALBUMS:

Numerous compilations of Asha's songs have been released as well. To commemorate her 60th birthday, in 1993 EMI India released three cassettes: Bala Main Bairagan Hoongi (devotional songs), The Golden Collection: Memorable Ghazals (non-film ghazals by composers such as Ghulam Ali, R D Burman and Nazar Hussain), and The Golden Collection: The Ever Versatile Asha Bhosle (44 popular film songs).

In 2006, she recorded an album Asha and Friends, singing duets, with film actors Sanjay Dutt and Urmila Matondkar and famous cricket player Brett Lee, with whom she sang, You're the One for Me (Haan Main Tumhara Hoon). All these songs composed by Shamir Tandon were shot on video by journalist turned director S Ramachandran.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists:

In 1980s and 1990s, Asha went globe-trotting, staging concerts in Canada, Dubai, UK, U.S. and many other countries. In 1989, during a world tour, she performed in 13 US cities in 20 days. Immediately after this, she had an already sold-out concert scheduled in Stockholm, Sweden. Due to the stressful schedule, Asha suffered a massive attack of colitis, together with fever, cough and weakness. In Stockholm, a pre-concert crisis meeting was called, attended by Asha's son (and manager) Anand and the sponsors. It was decided that the orchestra will play many instrumental tracks, the accompanying singers like Suresh Wadkar will shoulder the load, and Asha will make a small appearance. But Asha rejected all such proposals, and sang at the concert with great difficulty, in a not-so-good voice. Her first set of six Bollywood songs did not receive any response from the audience, which consisted mostly of Indian and Pakistani expats. Before the start of the second set of songs, a fan in the crowd requested her to sing a Marathi song. Asha obliged and sang Naach-naachuni ati mi damale ("I'm very tired of this endless dancing"). When the song ended, the auditorium erupted with claps and the encores started. After the concert, Asha was in bed for a month, recuperating from overexertion. In October 2002, she did a concert with Sudesh Bhosle and others, in London, for "Help the Aged" to help raise funds for older people in India. In 2007 she toured the USA, Canada, and West Indies in a tour called "The Incredibles". In this tour, she was accompanied by singers Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher. This tour went on to hold more than 20 concerts and was originally scheduled for only 12.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists:

In the mid-1980s, Asha sang with Boy George (Bow down mister) and Stephen Lauscombe. In 1997, she sang a love song with the boy band Code Red, at the age of 64. She also recorded the song The Way you Dream (One Giant Leap, [1]) with Michael Stipe that was used in the English movie, Bulletproof Monk. The song was also released on the self-titled album 1 Giant Leap for 2002.

In 1997, the British band Cornershop paid tribute to Asha with their song Brimful of Asha, an international hit which was later remixed by Fatboy Slim. In 2001, the CD single of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird" included a "Nellie vs. Asha Remix" created by Digital Cutup Lounge.

In 2003, British opera pop singer Sarah Brightman sampled her song "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" on her album Harem. It was used as the intro for her song "You Take My Breath Away".

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists:

In 2005, American string quartet Kronos Quartet re-recorded the R D Burman compositions like Chura Liya, Piya Tu, Mera Kuchh Saaman among others and got Asha to sing them. Despite her age (she had crossed 70), she recorded three to four songs in a day, leaving the quartet members stupefied. On August 23, 2005, You've stolen my heart - Songs From R D Burman's Bollywood was released in US. The album was nominated for Grammy Awards 2006 in the category of "Best Contemporary World Music Album". Earlier, in 1990s, a friend had introduced David Harrington of Kronos Quartet to the song Aaj ki raat. Harrington was mesmerised, and the song ended up on the album Kronos Caravan.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists:

Also in 2005, The Black Eyed Peas sampled her songs "Ae Naujawan Sab Kuchh Yahan" (Apradh, 1972) and "Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana" (Don, 1978) in their hit single "Don't Phunk with My Heart". In late 2006, Asha collaborated with Australian test cricket star, Brett Lee. The single, You're the One for Me debuted at number 4 on the charts and reached a peak position of number 2.

In 2006 Asha Bhosle recorded one song for the soundtrack of Pakistani movie Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaaonga. singing the song Dil Key Taar Bajey with famous Pakistani pop singer Jawad Ahmed. The song was aired as the part of the film's promotional campaign and became very popular, featuring on top music charts.

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

ASHA BHOSLE'S PERSONAL LIFE:

Asha's house is situated in Prabhukunj Apt on Peddar Road area of South Mumbai. She has three children and five grandchildren. The eldest of her three children is Hemant Bhosle (named after Hemant Kumar), spent most of his early years as a pilot and quit to have a brief career as a music director. Asha's daughter Varsha, who is younger than Hemant, worked as a columnist for The Sunday Observer and Rediff. The youngest child is Anand Bhosle, who has studied business and film direction. He manages Asha's career. Her grandson, Chaitanya (Chintu) Bhosle (Hemant's son) also ventured in the world of music, as a member of a successful boy band, "Band of Boys". Her sisters Lata and Usha Mangeshkar are playback singers. The other two siblings, sister Meena Mangeshkar and brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar are music directors.

Asha is an excellent cook and cooking is her favorite hobby. She often gets flooded with requests by Bollywood celebrities for kadai ghosht and biryani and has rarely turned down a request. In fact, her paya curry, Goan fish curry and dal are very popular with the Kapoor family of Bollywood. Once, when asked in a Times of India interview, what if her singing career had not taken off, she said "I would have become a cook. I'd have cooked in four houses and made money."

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LEGENDARY: ASHA BHOSLE

ASHA BHOSLE'S PERSONAL LIFE:

Asha is a successful restaurateur and runs restaurants in Dubai and Kuwait, called Asha's. Asha's offers traditional north-western Indian cuisine. It has a presence in the Wafi City development in Dubai, as well as three restaurants in Kuwait, at The Avenues Mall, the Marina Mall and a brand new third outlet at the Spoons Complex. Other restaurants can be found in Abu Dhabi's Khaldiya Mall, Doha's Villagio and Bahrain's City Center Mall, with future outposts planned for Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and Cairo, Egypt. Asha Bhosle has a 20% stake in the business. Asha is not involved in day-to-day running of the restaurant which is looked after by the Wafi Group. She takes care of the kitchen and the décor. She personally trained the chefs for almost six months. According to a December 2004 report in the Menu Magazine,[21] Russell Scott, a former head of Harry Ramsden's (the fish and chips chain), secured the UK rights to the Asha's brand and planned to open up to 40 restaurants over the next five years. As part of her chain of restaurants, Asha's, Ashatai has recently opened a new restaurant in Birmingham, UK.

Asha's fashion statement is white sarees with sparkling embroidery, pearls around her neck and diamonds. Harrington of Kronos Quartet said "The first time I met Ashaji she was dressed in the most beautiful sari with diamonds and looked very regal. Then I looked down and saw that she was wearing tennis shoes! I thought I love this woman."

Asha is a good mimicry artist as well. At a concert at World Trade Center in Dubai on April 22, 2004, she mimicked the song Kabhi To Nazar Milaao in the voices of Noor Jehan, Lata Mangeshkar and Ghulam Ali.

Nowadays, apart from singing and her restaurant, Asha is also working on her autobiography.

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