On sisters-rivalry, Lata and Asha had "good laugh" ::::: It was a Vintage playback singing club - Rafi, Mukesh, Lata, Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle .... all gone !! .... an era that will never return :: Did she wanted to flee to Dubai ??

Once a specialist for dance numbers; it became more a habit in Bollywood. Any major film with a song picturised on Helen, Asha Bhosle would be the voice behind it.

But adaptability, creativity, and innovation count.

They are imperative and she constantly evolved to avoid  risk of being left behind.  

Asha Bhosle expired on April 12, Sunday. 

Asha Bhosle sang the iconic song "Pyar Karne Waale Pyaar Karte Hain" in the 1980 movie Shaan. 

Composed by R.D. Burman with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, this energetic disco-style track features Parveen Babi and Amitabh Bachchan. She also sang other tracks in the film, including "Jaanu Meri Jaan". 

There came a time, she did well with Ghazals. No wonder she had been a two-time winner of the National Film Award- for magical 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai' from Umrao Jaan and 'Mera Kuch Saamaan' from Ijaazat. 

In 1984, she sang "Tu Rutha To Main Ro Doongi" for actress Neelam for the film 'Jawaani'. After a long time, a simple love story was making good in the industry. Everyone was concerned that Asha (born 1933) was then 51 and whether she could match the voice of a college going teenager. 

Neelam was born in 1969; hence Asha had to adjust to the voice of a 15-year-old damsel. And as records say that number was big hit.   

She recorded her first film song in 1943 and by the 50s, had carved a niche for herself.

Over the next three decades, she was among the most sought-after performers by most composers.

She did well with a number of regional language songs. 

In Bangla, 'Kiney de reshmi churi, noile jabo baaper baari' was a big hit from 1977 stable and it was much popular even till mid-1980s when we could understand the 'feelings' behind the number. 

In an interaction with 'Hindustan Times' in 2023, Asha spoke about the contemporary music landscape. 

“Main sach bolu toh main aaj ke gaane sunti hi nahi hoon. If I have to listen to songs, I hear (late vocalist) Bhimsen Joshi’s songs, classical songs and ghazals as I get to learn and simultaneously, polish and practice my songs better through that. Because of this, my capability of singing gets better".  

Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar gave a number of hit duets.

"छोड़ दो आंचल ज़माना क्या कहेगा" (Paying Guest)

"हाल कैसा है जनाब का" (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi)

"एक मैं और एक तू" (Khel Khel Mein)

"आज रपट जाऐं तो" (Namak Halaal)

"ओ साथी चल" (Seeta Aur Geeta)

With Kishore Kumar 

In fact, together with her sister Lata Mangeshkar and fellow legends Mukesh, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar, Asha too dominated the Hindi music scene for over half a century. 

This was truly era that will never return. 

Peddar Road Flyover - has a story of its own

In 2002 during my days with PTI, Mumbai; we had to run a controversial story related to Asha Bhosle. It was a difficult proposition for two of us - me and colleague Jacinta D'souza (both Asha fans) to file our report. 

The legendary Asha Bhosle had voiced her protests over the Pedder Road flyover project and how it disturbed public and traffic.

She (despite being a Marathi) had threatened to move out of Mumbai to "some other country.... maybe Dubai".  

That's food for thought !!

But that's beauty about life and journalism. "Bitter pills have to be swallowed... that's my subtle message," Jacinta told me softly conscious what we whisper do not reach the never-failing ears of a late deputy editor.  

Asha With R.D 

Rahul Dev Burman was music director and singer, who is considered to be one of the greatest and most successful music directors of the Hindi film music industry. 

From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films, bringing a new level of music.

RD Burman (nicknamed Pancham) did his major work with legendary singers Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi. 

The RD-Asha husband-wife team also worked extensively with lyricists like Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi and Gulzar.

R D was the only son of the composer Sachin Dev Burman and his lyricist wife Meera Dev. 

As is well known 

-- Be it 'Piya Tu Ab To Aa Ja' from Caravan, 

'Ye Mera Dil' from Don, 

'Dum Maaro Dum' from Hare Rama Hare Krishna ... 

Asha owned the dance number genre in Bollywood for over two decades. 

Asha Bhosle sang the devotional song "Sancha Naam Tera" in the 1975 film Julie. This song was a duet with her sister Usha Mangeshkar, composed by Rajesh Roshan with lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi. 

Asha got the surname Bhosle from her first first marriage to Ganpatrao Bhosle.  

Asha had once opened up about 'rumours' of a 'sibling rivalry' with her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar. 

She spoke about an incident over which the sisters had a 'good laugh'. 

"She’s my sister and my favourite singer. People did carry tales and try to create trouble, but blood is thicker than water. I remember, sometimes both of us would be at a function and some industry types would ignore me and interact only with her, as if to prove their loyalty. Later, didi and I would have a good laugh!” 

Asha Bhosle had started her singing career in 1943 four years before India attained independence. 

She gave over 12,000 songs across seven decades. She was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. 

ends