Asha Bhosle, the last great of bygone eras, a relic that must be preserved, may be 92 years old today but she remains 19 at heart, and we wish she remained that way till the end of time.
Early Life and Career
Asha Bhosle was born on September 8, 1933, in the small village of Goar in Sangli, Maharashtra. Asha’s musical journey began in the shadow of her father, Deenanath Mangeshkar, a renowned Marathi and Konkani actor and classical singer. The untimely death of her father when she was just nine years old was a turning point. The family moved to Mumbai in search of a better future.
Aasha and her elder sister, the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, started singing and acting in films out of necessities. It was the life of struggle as young girls were learning the ropes while working constantly. Asha’s debut came in 1943, with the Marathi song “Chal chala chala nav bala” in “Majha Bal,” under the music direction of Datta Dawjekar. Her first Hindi song, however, came much later in 1947 with the Qawwali “Gareebon Ke Daata Gareebon Ke Wali” for Vasant Desai’s “Andho Ki Duniya.” Her first solo song, “Do Char Idhar Do Char Udhar,” was for the movie “Raat Ki Raani” in 1949 under Hansraj Behl.
Marriage and Comeback
Asha was only 13 years old (some sources say she was 14 or 16) when she fell in love with sister Lata’s secretary, Ganpatrao Bhosle. She eloped with him and the married him against the wishes of her family. The marriage turned out to be a bad one with lots of problems. In an interview, Asha Ji said, “I did get married at a very young age to a man who was 20 years older than I was. It was a love marriage and Lata Didi did not speak to me for a long time. She disapproved of the alliance. The family was very conservative and they could not handle a singing star for a daughter-in-law.”
She also said, “There was abuse and ill-treatment, and I finally was asked to leave when I was expecting my youngest son Anand, and I did go back to my mother, sisters, and brother.”
Her early career saw her struggling to establish herself in the shadow of her sister, Lata Mangeshkar. Asha Bhosle initially sang for roles rejected by leading singers, often for vamps or lesser-known films. Despite her not being the first choice for heroine’s songs, she gained immense recognition and reputation with her songs in films like Sangdil (1952), Footpath (1953), Thokar (1953), Parineeta (1953), Amar (1954), Polish Boot (1954), Jagriti (1954), Taxi Driver (1954), Abe-Hayat (1955), Devdas (1955), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Vachan (1955), Chori Chori (1956), Funtoosh (1956), Hamara Watan (1956), Jagte Raho (1956), Hum Sab Chor Hain (1956), Kismet (1956), Mem Sahib (1956), C.I.D. (1956) and many more.
When S.D. Burman had a fallout with Lata Mangeshakar he stated working solely with Asha for six years. The period helped her immensly and she established her self as a heroine’s voice.
Some of the major films where S.D. Burman used Asha’s voice in films like Paying Guest (1957), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Kaala Pani (1958), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Lajwanti (1958), Insaan Jaag Utha (1959), Sujata (1959), Kaala Bazaar (1960), Bombai Ka Babu (1960), Bandini (1963), Teen Deviyaan (1965), and many more. These two events allowed Asha to establish her own identity and step out of her sister’s shadow.
Asha Bhosle and OP Nayyar
Nayyar never worked with Lata Mangeshkar and chose Asha instead, which greatly affected her standing in the film industry. Asha’s career gets a significant turn in late 50s with the patronage of two prominent music directors. Although Asha and OP Nayyar have already worked together in a few films. Their team touched new heights with B. R. Chopra’s Naya Daur (1957). In the film Asha sang songs like “Mangke Saath Tumhara, Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri, Sathi Hath Badhana,” and “Reshmi Salwar, Kurta Jaali Ka.”
O.P. Nayyar was known for his distinctive rhythm and ability to blend classical and contemporary music. He found in Asha Bhosle the perfect voice to express his musical vision. Their collaboration began in the early 1950s and continued until the early 1970s.
Their work together included a variety of songs, which include “Ik Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya (Phagun), “Aaiye Meherbaan” (Howrah Bridge), “Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera,” “Jaaiye Aap Kahan” (Mere Sanam), “Aao Huzoor Tumko,” “Kajra mohabbatwala” (Kismat), “Aap Yunhi Agar,” “Main Pyaar Ka Rahi Hoon” (Ek Musafir Ek Haseena), “Deewana Hua Baadal,” and “Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein” (Kashmir Ki Kali), “Sar Par Topi Lal” (Tumsa Nahin Dekha), and many more.
The Iconic Collaboration
The personal relationship between Asha Bhosle and O.P. Nayyar was also much talked about. Although they never married, their professional rapport was often seen as a reflection of the deep personal bond they shared. Nayyar was known to have been a significant influence in Asha’s life and career during their years of collaboration.
The Asha-OP partnership that started in the 1950s ended in 1974 with the film “Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye.” It was a bitter parting. Though Asha’s ethereally beautiful song in the film “Chain se hum ko kabhi” won the Filmfare award, Asha didn’t accept it. Why they parted ways in 1974, neither of them ever talked about it.
Asha quickly made a name for herself with her distinctive voice and ability to sing across genres. Her work spans film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian classical music, folk songs, qawwalis, and Rabindra Sangeet. Not just confined to Hindi, she has sung in over 20 Indian and foreign languages, showcasing her remarkable linguistic dexterity.
In her career, she worked with almost all the music directors of the Indian film industry, including Naushad Ali, S.D. Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, Hemant Kumar, N. Dutta, Khayyam, Ravi, Roshan, Jaidev, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Kalyanji-Anandji, Chitragupt, Rahul Dev Burman (Pancham), Ilaiyaraaja, Usha Khanna, Ravindra Jain, Bappi Lahiri, A. R. Rahman, Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit, and many more.
Asha Bhosle with R.D. Burman
One of her career’s most important collaborations came with R.D. Burman, starting with the 1966 movie “Teesri Manzil.” Their union not only produced some of the most memorable songs in Bollywood but also revolutionised the way music was perceived in Indian cinema.
The duo gave songs like “O Mere Sona Re Sona,” “O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan,” “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera” (Teesri Manzil), “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), “Dum Maro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna),” “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko (Yaadon Ki Baaraat),” “Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay), “Duniya Mein Logon Ko (Apna Desh),” “Bechara Dil Kya Kare (Khushboo),” “Pyaar Karne Waale (Shaan),” “Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam (Sanam Teri Kasam),” “Phir Se Aaiyo Badra Bidesi (Namkeen), “Jab Andhera Hota Hai (Raja Rani),” “Do Lafzon Ki (The Great Gambler),” “Roz Roz Ankhon Taley (Jeeva),” “O Maria!” (Saagar), which continue to enchant the music lovers.
Memorable Work
The duo gave songs like “O Mere Sona Re Sona,” “O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan,” “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera” (Teesri Manzil), “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), “Dum Maro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna),” “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko (Yaadon Ki Baaraat),” “Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay), “Duniya Mein Logon Ko (Apna Desh),” “Bechara Dil Kya Kare (Khushboo),” “Pyaar Karne Waale (Shaan),” “Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam (Sanam Teri Kasam),” “Phir Se Aaiyo Badra Bidesi (Namkeen), “Jab Andhera Hota Hai (Raja Rani),” “Do Lafzon Ki (The Great Gambler),” “Roz Roz Ankhon Taley (Jeeva),” “O Maria!” (Saagar), which continue to enchant the music lovers.
Their personal relationship also blossomed into marriage in 1980, further strengthening their professional partnership. Together, they continued to explore new musical territories and gave us gems like “Piya Bawri” in Khoobsoorat (1980), “Aur Kya Ahd-e-Wafa” in Sunny (1984), “Mera Kuch Saaman,” “Khaali Haath Shaam Aayi Hai,” and “Katra Katra” from “Ijaazat (1987).” Unfortunately, Pancham Da passed away in 1994.
The Legendary Voice
In the early 1980s, Asha reinvented herself with the help of Khayyam, who used her voice quite differently than the usual Asha Bhosle style of that time. In “Umraojan,” Asha sang ghazals with a more “Thahrao” and used her classical training to produce gems like “Dil Cheez Kiya Hai,” “In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke,” Ye Kya Jagah Hai Dosto,” “Justuju Jiski Thi,” and “Jab Bhi Milti Hai.”
From the late 80s and early 90s, Asha continued to sing selective songs but was heartbroken at the quality of the music until A. R. Rahman aproached her to sing in “Rangeela” in 1994. The resulting songs were “Tanha Tanha” and “Rangeela Re,” which became a rage that year. She left people amazed by her energy. At 62-year-old she sang for a 17-year-old teenager played by a 19-year-old Urmila.
The Ageless Diva
After Rangeela, Rahman and Asha went on to collaborate on many iconic songs, including “Pakka Dilbar Jaani (Khel Khiladi Ka),” “Zehreela Pyar,” “O Bhanware (Daud),” “Venilla Venilla (Iruvar),” “Mujhe Rang De (Thakshak),” “Kahin Aag Lage (Taal),” “Radha Kaise Na Jale (Lagaan),” “Chori Pe Chori (Saathiya),” “September Madham (Alaipayuthey),” “Meherbaan (Tehzeeb),” and “Dhuan Dhuan (Meenaxi).
Some of Asha Ji’s iconic songs from her later career include “Dil Le Gayi Le Gayi,” “Ajnabi Mujhko Itna Bataa De,” “Sapne Mein Milta Hai,” “Janeman Janeman,” “Kambakht Ishq,” “Jab Dil Miley,” “Khallas,” “Filhaal,” “Nazar Nazar Mein Haal-e-Dil Ka Pataa Chalta Hai,” “Bhoot Hai Yahan Koi,” “Chain Aapko Mila,” “Habba Habba Hui,” “Meri Justuju Bhi Tu Hai,” “Huzoor-e-Ala,” and “Lucky Lips,” among many others.
Legacy
Asha’s accolades are a testament to her talent and hard work. She has received numerous awards, including two National Film Awards, nine Filmfare Awards, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000, which is India’s highest award in cinema. In 2008, she was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour in India. The Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged her as the most recorded artist in music history in 2011.
In 2013, at the age of 80, Asha Bhosle made her acting debut in the film “Mai,” receiving critical acclaim for her performance. Her career has been marked by collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music industry, and her songs have become anthems across generations.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown, Asha Bhosle joined renowned artists like S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, Usha Uthup, Shaan, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, and 200 others to create the song Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam. This song was aimed at fostering unity and hope across the country during the challenging times of the pandemic.
Continue to Memsmerize
At 90, Asha Bhosle continues to captivate audiences with her timeless songs, crossing cultures and generations. A musical icon, she remains India’s biggest sensation. Asha@90 is the series of concerts starting September 8, 2023, in Dubai, in a packed auditorium, where Asha sang her iconic song and mesmerised the whole world.
She told the PTI before her September 8, 2023, concert in Dubai, Asha said, “Music kabhi khatam nahin hota. Yeh dariya hai.” Asha again performed her “Asha @90 who phir Nahi Aate” at Jio Garden at BKC in Mumbai on March 9, 2024.
Asha Bhosle on IMDB
