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Asha Bhosle | |
|---|---|
 Asha Bhosle in 2015 | |
| Born | Asha Mangeshkar (1933-09-08)8 September 1933 (age 92) |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1943–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse(s) | Ganpatrao Bhosle (m. 1949; sep. 1960; died 1966) |
| Children | 3 (includingVarsha Bhosle) |
| Father | Deenanath Mangeshkar |
| Relatives | See list |
| Family | Mangeshkar family andManikya dynasty (in-laws) |
| Awards | Full list |
| Honours | Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2000) Padma Vibhushan (2008) Banga Bibhushan (2018)[1] Maharashtra Bhushan (2021) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
Musical artist | |
Asha Bhosle[note 1] (pronounced[ˈaːʃaːˈbʱos(ə)le];née Mangeshkar; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur, actress and television personality who predominantly works inIndian cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in the media as one of the greatest and most influentialsingers inHindi cinema. In her career spanning over eight decades she has recorded songs for films and albums in various Indian languages and receivedseveral accolades including twoNational Film Awards, fourBFJA Awards, eighteenMaharashtra State Film Awards, nineFilmfare Awards including aLifetime Achievement Award and a record sevenFilmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer,[note 2] in addition to twoGrammy nominations. In 2000, she was honoured with theDadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema. In 2008, she was honoured by theGovernment of India with thePadma Vibhushan, thesecond-highest civilian honour of the country. TheGuinness Book of World Records acknowledged her in 2011 as the most recorded artist in music history.[9]
Bhosle is the sister of playback singerLata Mangeshkar and belongs to the prominentMangeshkar family. Renowned for hersoprano voice range[10] and often credited for her versatility,[11][12][13] Her work includesfilm music,pop,ghazals,bhajans, traditionalIndian classical music,folk songs,qawwalis, andRabindra Sangeet. Apart fromHindi, she has sung in over 20 Indian and foreign languages.[14] In 2013, she made her debut as an actress in the filmMai, and received critical acclaim for her performance. In 2006, she stated that she has recorded over 12,000songs in her career,[15] a figure repeated by several other sources.[14][16]
Asha Mangeshkar was born in the small hamlet of Goar inSangli, then in thesaluteprincely state ofSangli (now inMaharashtra), into themusical family ofPanditDeenanath Mangeshkar, who wasMarathi andKonkani, and hisGujarati wife, Shevanti. Deenanath was an actor and classical singer on theMarathi musical stage. When Bhosle was nine years old, her father died. The family moved fromPune toKolhapur and then toMumbai. She and her elder sisterLata Mangeshkar began singing and acting in films to support their family. She sang her first film song '"Chala Chala Nav Bala" for theMarathi filmMajha Bal (1943). The music for the film was composed byDatta Davjekar. She made her Hindi film debut when she sang the song "Saawan Aaya" forHansraj Behl'sChunariya (1948),[17] though another filmAndhon Ki Duniya was released beforeChunariya in the same year, in both films she has sung one trio each. Her first solo Hindi film song was for the movieRaat Ki Rani (1949).
At the age of 16, she eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, marrying him against her family's wishes.[18]
In the late 1940s to early 1950s, prominent playback singers likeGeeta Dutt,Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar dominated the singing for the female lead and the big films. In the 1950s, Bhosle sang more songs than most playback singers in Hindi films. Most of these were inlow budget films. Her earliest songs were composed byA. R. Qureshi,Sajjad Hussain,S. Mohinder,Sardar Malik,Ghulam Mohammed and some others.[17] Singing inSangdil (1952), composed by Sajjad Hussain, she got reasonable recognition. In the same year, she has the lead in the filmChham Chhama Chham, underO. P. Nayyar, she has sung 10 out of 11 songs in that film. Consequently, film directorBimal Roy gave her a chance to sing inParineeta (1953).Raj Kapoor signed her to sing all songs inBoot Polish (1954), which gained her popularity.[19]
O. P. Nayyar gave Bhosle a number of songs during 1952-1956, although she first achieved success inB. R. Chopra'sNaya Daur (1957), composed by him. Her duets withRafi like "Maang Ke Saath Tumhara", "Saathi Haath Badhana" and "Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri", penned bySahir Ludhianvi, earned her recognition. It was the first time she sang all the songs for a film's leading actress. B. R. Chopra then approached her for several of his later productions, includingDhool Ka Phool,Gumrah (1963),Waqt (1965),Hamraaz (1967),Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969),Dhund (1973) and many more. O. P. Nayyar's future collaboration with Bhosle also resulted in success. Gradually, she established her status and received the patronage of such composers asSachin Dev Burman andRavi. Bhosle and O. P. Nayyar had a professional and personal parting of ways in the 1970s.[20]In 1966, Bhosle's performances in the duets from one of music directorR.D. Burman's soundtracks, for the movieTeesri Manzil, won popular acclaim. Reportedly, when she first heard the dance number "Aaja Aaja", she felt she would not be able to sing this westernised tune. While Burman offered to change the music, she refused, taking it as a challenge. She completed the song after ten days of rehearsals, and "Aaja Aaja", along with such other songs as "O Haseena Zulfonwali" and "O Mere Sona Re" (all three duets with Rafi), became successful.Shammi Kapoor, the film's leading actor, was once quoted as saying– "If I did not have Mohammad Rafi to sing for me, I would have got Asha Bhosle to do the job". Bhosle's collaboration with Burman resulted in numerous hits and a marriage. During the 1960-70s, she was the voice of Hind film actress and dancer,Helen, on whom "O Haseena Zulfon Wali" was picturised. It is said that Helen would attend her recording sessions so that she could understand the song better and plan dance steps accordingly.[21] Some of their other popular numbers include "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (Caravan) and "Yeh Mera Dil" (Don), among others.
In 1981, Bhosle attempted a different genre by singing severalghazals for theRekha-starrerUmrao Jaan, including "Dil Cheez Kya Hai", "In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke", "Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston" and "Justju Jiski Thi". The film's music directorKhayyam, had lowered her pitch by half a note. Bhosle herself expressed surprise that she could sing so differently. The ghazals won her the firstNational Film Award of her career. A few years later, she won another National Award for the song "Mera Kuchh Saamaan" fromIjaazat (1987).
In 1995, 62-year-old Bhosle sang for actressUrmila Matondkar in the movieRangeela. The soundtrack featured songs like "Tanha Tanha" and "Rangeela Re" sung by her, and composed by music directorA. R. Rahman, who would go on to record several songs with her. During the 2000s, several of Bhosle's numbers became chartbusters, including "Radha Kaise Na Jale" fromLagaan (2001), "Kambakht Ishq" fromPyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001), "Yeh Lamha" fromFilhaal (2002) and "Lucky Lips" fromLucky (2005). In October 2004,The Very Best of Asha Bhosle, The Queen of Bollywood, a compilation album of songs recorded by Bhosle for albums and Hindi language films that were released between 1966 and 2003, was released.
In 2012 she judgedSur Kshetra.
In 2013, Bhosle debuted in the filmMai in the title role, at the age of 79. Bhosle played the role of a 65-year-old mother who suffers fromAlzheimer's disease and is abandoned by her children.[22] She received positive reviews for her acting as well from critics.[23][24]
In May 2020, Bhosle launched herYouTube channel named "Asha Bhosle Official".[25]
Music directorO. P. Nayyar's association with Bhosle is part ofHindi film lore. He was the composer who first gave Bhosle her own identity. Many people have speculated about a romantic relationship between the two.
Nayyar first met Bhosle in 1952, at the music recording ofChham Chhama Chham.[26] He then called her for a film calledMangu (1954), and gave her a big break in superhit films likeBaap Re Baap (1955),Ham Sab Chor Hain (1956),C.I.D. (1956), Duniya Rang Rangeeli (1957), Mr. Qartoon M. A. (1958) and many more. However, it was the success ofNaya Daur (1957) that made the duo popular.[citation needed] After 1959, she was emotionally and professionally involved with O. P. Nayyar.[citation needed]
The team of O. P. Nayyar and Bhosle is best remembered for their breezy and sometimessirenish songs.[citation needed] Some good examples of their sensuous numbers are "Aaiye Meharbaan" picturised onMadhubala (Howrah Bridge, 1958) and "Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera", (Mere Sanam, 1965). "Aao Huzoor Tumko" (Kismat, 1968) and "Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge" (Mere Sanam, 1965) were also popular. They also recorded songs for many hit movies likeTumsa Nahin Dekha (1957),Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) andKashmir Ki Kali (1964). O. P. Nayyar used the Bhosle-Rafi duo for his most popular duets such as "Mangke Saath Tumhara", "Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri" (both fromNaya Daur), "Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe", "Main Pyaar Ka Rahi Hoon" (both fromEk Musafir Ek Hasina), "Deewana Hua Baadal", "Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein" (both fromKashmir Ki Kali).[20]
Bhosle recorded her last song for O. P. Nayyar in the moviePran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974). The solo number "Chain Se Humko Kabhi" garnered many awards, but it was not included in the movie.[citation needed]
They separated on 5 August 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."[26] 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 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 withThe Times of India, she once remarked, "Whichever composer gave me work, it was because my voice was suited to his music at that point. Noone musician did me any favor by asking me to sing for him."[27] She gives the credit for her first big break toB. R. Chopra, the producer ofNaya Daur.
Another music director who recognized Bhosle's talent early wasKhayyam. Their partnership dates back to his first movieBiwi (1948), in which Khayyam was assistant music director. Khayyam gave her some good assignments in the 1950s, includingFootpath andPhir Subah Hogi. However, their collaboration is chiefly remembered for the songs ofUmrao Jaan.[28]
Music composerRavi considered Bhosle one of his favorite singers. She sang for his first movieVachan (1955). The melodiouslullaby from this movie, "Chanda Mama Door Ke" became an overnight hit among young mothers in India. Ravi got her to singbhajans for the moviesGharana,Grahasti,Kaajal andPhool Aur Patthar, Ravi and Bhosle recorded a variety of songs, including the popular comic duet withKishore Kumar :– "C A T...Cat, Cat Maane Billi" (Dilli Ka Thug). Thebhajan "Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye" (Kaajal) attained great popularity.[29]
They also recorded songs for many popular movies likeWaqt,Chaudhvin Ka Chand,Gumrah,Bahu Beti,China Town,Aadmi Aur Insaan,Dhund,Hamraaz and many more. ForChaudhvin Ka Chand, Ravi wantedGeeta Dutt (the wife of actor and producerGuru Dutt) to sing the songs.Guru Dutt insisted that only Bhosle could do justice with those songs, which has been proved.[17]
Sachin Dev Burman was one of those composers, who had recognized the potentiality and versatility in Bhosle and apart from Lata Mangeshkar, he had utilised the voice of Bhosle as well, he had some misunderstandings with Lata from 1957 to 1962, on that time only Bhosle used to be his only female voice.[30] She and Burman Dada gave many songs in movies such asNau Do Gyarah,Kala Pani,Kala Bazar,Insan Jaag Utha,Lajwanti,Sujata,Teen Devian and many more. They recorded many songs together after 1962 as well.
Bhosle first metRahul Dev Burman (also known as Pancham) when she was the mother of two and he was in 10th grade having dropped out to pursue music. Their partnership was first noticed inTeesri Manzil (1966). She went on to record a variety of songs with him –cabarets, rock,disco,ghazals andclassical.
In the 1970s, Bhosle and Burman's youthful Western songs took Hindi film music by storm – the raunchy cabaret "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (Caravan, picturized onHelen), the rebellious "Dum Maro Dum" (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1971), the sexy "Duniya Mein Logon Ko" (Apna Desh, 1972) and the romantic "Chura Liya Hai Tumne" (Yaadon Ki Baaraat, 1973). Burman also recorded many hit duets with Bhosle andKishore Kumar such as "Jaan-E-Jaan Dhundhta Phir Raha" (Jawani Diwani) and "Bhali Bhali Si Ek Soorat" (Buddha Mil Gaya).
In the 1980s, Burman and Bhosle recorded subtle numbers for films likeIjaazat (1987) - "Mera Kuch Saaman", "Khaali Haath Shaam Aayi Hai" and "Katra Katra". They also recorded the duet "O Maria!" (Saagar).
Bhosle used to call R. D. Burman "Bob". She married him in 1980. Their partnership lasted until his death.
R. D. Burman made her sing some of the most legendary songs in Bengali as well, namely "Mohuaye Jomechhe Aaj Mou Go", "Chokhe Chokhe Kotha Bolo", "Chokhe Naame Brishti" (Bengali version of "Jaane Kya Baat Hai"), "Baanshi Sune Ki Ghore Thaka Jaye", "Sondhya Belay Tumi Aami" and "Aaj Gun Gun Gun Kunje Amar" (Bengali version of "Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai") and many other songs.[citation needed]
Bhosle has long collaboration withBappi Lahiri, starting from mid 70s to mid 90s, Bhosle gave many songs under Bappi Lahiri such,Haathkadi (1982),Namak Halaal (1982),Sharaabi (1984),Himmatwala (1983),Mawaali (1983),Tohfa (1984),Prem Pratigyaa (1989) to name a very few. The last duet ofKishore-Bhosle "Guru Guru, Aa Jao Guru" fromWaqt Ki Awaz (1988), also music by Bappi Lahiri. Bappi Lahiri also composed the memorableghazal "Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intazaar Aaj Bhi Hai" forAitbaar (1985), also sung by Bhosle.
Prolific Indian film composerIlaiyaraaja began employing Bhosle's vocals in the early 1980s, their earliest collaboration being for the filmMoondram Pirai (1982) (remade in Hindi asSadma in 1983). Their association continued, mostly through the latter half of the 1980s and early 1990s. Another notable song from this period is "Shenbagamae" for the movieEnga Ooru Pattukaran in 1987. In 2000, Bhosle sung the theme song forKamal Haasan's political filmHey Ram. The song, "Nee Partha Parvai" in Tamil andJanmon Ki Jwala in Hindi (or Aparna's Theme), was a duet with singerHariharan.
A. R. Rahman is credited withBhosle's "comeback" withRangeela (1995). 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 withUdit Narayan), "Kahin Aag Lage" (Taal), "O Bhanware" (Daud, duet withK. J. Yesudas), "Venilla Venilla" (Iruvar, 1999), "September Madham" (Alaipayuthey, 2000) and "Dhuan Dhuan" (Meenaxi, 2004).[17]
WhenS D Burman's assistantJaidev started giving music independently, he got Bhosle to sing some of his songs as well. They worked inHum 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 calledAn Unforgettable Treat. Bhosle 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, calledSuranjali.
Shankar–Jaikishan worked with Bhosle in a number of songs, especially, from 1965 to 1972. Some hits of this trio including the seductive "Parde Mein Rehne Do" (Shikar, 1968). Bhosle got her secondFilmfare Award for the song. She also sang "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana" (Andaz, 1971) for Shankar–Jaikishan, in which she tried toyodel likeKishore Kumar, whose version of the song is more popular. They also used her voice in films likeBoot Polish (1954),Shree 420 (1955),Chori Chori (1956),Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960),Junglee (1961),An Evening in Paris (1967) andKal Aaj Aur Kal (1971),Lal Patthar (1971),Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972) among others. Bhosle gave all female vocals for the songs ofMera Naam Joker (1970) also.
ComposerAnu Malik and Bhosle have recorded many singles together starting fromPoonam (1981), including songs for the hit films likeSohni Mahiwal (1984). Their most popular songs include "Yeh Lamha Filhaal Jee Lene De" (Filhaal) and "Kitabein Bahut Si" (Baazigar) among others. The voice of Bhosle in Anu Malik's "Jab Dil Mile" (Yaadein) stood out among voices ofUdit Narayan,Sukhwinder Singh andSunidhi Chauhan. Their latest collaboration has been for the song, "Prem Mein Tohre" (Begum Jaan) which also received praise.
Madan Mohan recorded a number of songs with Bhosle, including the popular folk number "Jhumka Gira Re" picturised onSadhana fromMera Saaya (1966), some other films of Madan Mohan with Bhosle areAakhri Dao (1958),Adalat (1958),Pooja Ke Phool (1964),Neela Aakash (1965),Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966) to name a very few. InChhoti Si Baat (1976), Bhosle sang the "Jaaneman Jaaneman" number withK. J. Yesudas forSalil Chowdhury. Salil's 1956 movieJagte Raho also had a number recorded by Bhosle, "Thandi Thandi Saawan Ki Phuhaar", Bhosle also had the lead for Salil Chowdhury inAmanat (1955). Bhosle has sung many hit songs underC. Ramchandra in films likeInsaniyat (1955),Raj Tilak (1958),Paigham (1959),Navrang (1959),Amar Deep (1958),Sharada (1957),Aasha (1957) among others, the superhit song "Eena Meena Deeka" (fromAasha, sung byKishore and Bhosle in two different versions) was composed by C. Ramchandra.
Another Bhosle patron is the young composerSandeep Chowta, who got her to sing "Kambakht Ishq", a trio withSonu Nigam andSukhwinder Singh for the moviePyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001). The song gained major popularity among the Indian youth.Vidyasagar recorded Bhosle's voice for a popular duet song "Konja Neram" for theRajinikanth starrerChandramukhi (2005) along withMadhu Balakrishnan.
Bhosle has worked with Lata-patrons likeLaxmikant–Pyarelal,Naushad Ali,Ravindra Jain,N. Dutta andHemant Kumar. When Naushad was asked to sum up the essential difference between Lata and Bhosle, he said that Bhosle "lacks certain something which Lata, and Lata alone has." Later he stated in an interview, "Maybe I said it because I then had a closed ear on Asha".[31] Naushad, later in his life, also admitted that he has been unfair to Bhosle. Bhosle has also worked with other noted Hindi film composers likeRoshan,Chitragupt,Kalyanji-Anandji,Usha Khanna,Nadeem-Shravan,Jatin-Lalit and others.
In a rare feat, noted lyricistGulzar, music directorR.D. Burman and Bhosle came together in 1987 to create a double album titledDil Padosi Hai, which was released on 8 September 1987.[32] In 1995, Bhosle underwent thegatha bandan (thread-tying) ceremony withHindustani classical music maestroAli Akbar Khan to learn a classical repertoire held within the Maihargharana (stylistic school of Indian classical music), as handed down to Khan by his fatherAllauddin Khan (the guru ofRavi Shankar). Later, Bhosle and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan recorded eleven fixed compositions (orbandishes) in California forLegacy, a private album that earned them aGrammy Award nomination.
In the 1990s, Bhosle experimented withremixed R.D. Burman songs. She was criticized by many, includingKhayyam, for tampering with old melodies. Nevertheless, albums likeRahul And I became quite popular. In 1997, Bhosle did a privateIndipop albumJanam Samjha Karo withLesle Lewis. The album was hugely popular and won her many awards including the 1997MTV Award.
Bhosle had been once asked by directorB. R. Ishara to compose music for one of his films, but she had politely declined. In 2002, she turned music composer with the albumAap Ki Asha, an eight-song music and video album. The lyrics were written byMajrooh Sultanpuri. The album was released bySachin Tendulkar on 21 May 2001 at a lavish party in Mumbai. The album received mixed reviews.
Bhosle had spotted Pakistani singerAdnan Sami's talent when he was about 10 years old. At that time, she was performing in London with R. D. Burman. It was she who had asked him to pursue his interests in music. When Adnan grew up and became a professional musician, Bhosle sang the title duet with him for his best-selling albumKabhi to nazar milao. The two came together again in the albumBarse Badal. The album comprises eight songs, based onIndian Classical music. She contributed the songYun Na Thi to the recordingWomad Talking Book Volume Four: An Introduction to Asia 1 on Womad Records.
Bhosle has sungghazals for many albums likeMeraj-E-Ghazal,Aabshar-e-Ghazal andKashish. In 2005, Bhosle released a self-titled album as a tribute to the four ghazal maestros –Mehdi Hassan,Ghulam Ali,Farida Khanum andJagjit Singh. The album features eight of her favoriteghazals like Farida Khanum'sAaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo,Ghulam Ali'sChupke Chupke,Aawargi andDil Mein Ek Lahar, Jagjit Singh'sAhista Ahista andMehdi Hassan'sRanjish Hi Sahi,Rafta Rafta andMujhe Tum Nazar Se. These classic ghazals were recreated with modern sounds by musician Pandit Somesh Mathur. The album was aimed at the younger generation, who, according to Bhosle, are "turned off" by the traditional sounds of tabla and sarangi.
Numerous compilations of Bhosle's songs have been released as well. To commemorate her 60th birthday,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), andThe Golden Collection: The Ever Versatile Asha Bhosle (44 popular film songs).
In 1996, Bhosle sangChanneache Rati among several other songs in Rajendra Talak'sKonkani albumDaryachya Deger withSuresh Wadkar.
In 2006, she recorded an albumAsha and Friends, singing duets, with film actorsSanjay Dutt andUrmila Matondkar and famous cricket playerBrett 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 directorS. Ramachandran.
In 2014, she sang a song titled "Dil Lagane Ko Dil Jab" for theInternational Women's Day special album,Women's Day Special: Spreading Melodies Everywhere. It was composed by Shamir Tandon and penned by Saajan Agarwal.
In 2014, she sang one more song titled "Bappa Morya" with her Granddaughter Zanai Bhosle .on Ganesh chaturthi for Saregama Music company composed by Nitin Shankar song written by SahilSultanpuri.
In 2015, Bhosle recorded a Sufi song, "Fariyad Sun Fakira"[33] with co-singers Javed Ali and Pankaj Kumar.
In 2016, she recorded the album "82" with music directorMandar Agashe who decorated six ofSuresh Bhat's ghazals with his musical touch of pop, reggae, blues, and rock.[34] The album was named after her age at the time of recording.[34] About the album "82", Bhosle said, "I had a long association withSuresh Bhat and have a lot of memories about him. With this album, I will relive those memories. I don't need to tell you how powerful his words were and, with the album, that power can be experienced again. Mr. Bhat always wanted to record these ghazals in the pop and rock genres and it is good to see Mandar fulfilling that wish. I just wish Mr. Bhat was among us today."[34]
In 2020, during theCOVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown throughout the nation, Bhosle along with many noted artists likeS. P. Balasubrahmanyam,Udit Narayan,Kailash Kher,Usha Uthup,Shaan,Alka Yagnik,Sonu Nigam and other 200 artists of India, made a song named 'Jayatu Jayatu Bharatam' to make the country unite during the pandemic.[35]
In the 1980s and 1990s, Bhosle staged concerts in Canada,Dubai, UK, US and many other countries. In October 2002, she did a concert with Sudesh Bhosle and others, in London, for "Help the Aged" to help raise funds for the elderly in India. In 2007 she toured the US, Canada, and West Indies in a tour called "The Incredibles". In this tour, she was accompanied by singersSonu Nigam,Kunal Ganjawala andKailash Kher. This tour, originally scheduled for only 12 concerts, went on to run more than 20.
In the early 1990s, Bhosle sang withBoy George ("Bow Down Mister") and Stephen Lauscombe. In 1997, she sang a love song with the boy bandCode Red, at the age of 64. She also recorded the song "The Way you Dream" (One Giant Leap),[36] withMichael Stipe that was used in the English movie,Bulletproof Monk. The song was also released on the album1 Giant Leap for 2002.
In 1997, the British bandCornershop paid tribute to Bhosle with their song "Brimful of Asha," an international hit which was later remixed byFatboy Slim.[37] In 2001, the CD single ofNelly Furtado's "I'm Like a Bird" included a "Nellie vs. Asha Remix" created by Digital Cutup Lounge.
In 2003, British opera pop singerSarah Brightman sampled her song "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" on her albumHarem. It was used as the intro for her song "You Take My Breath Away".
In 2005, Americanstring quartetKronos Quartet re-recordedR D Burman compositions like "Chura Liya", "Piya Tu" and "Mera Kuchh Saaman" among others and got Bhosle to sing them. Despite her age, she recorded three to four songs a day, leaving the quartet members stupefied. On 23 August 2005,You've Stolen My Heart: Songs from R.D. Burman's Bollywood was released in US. The album was nominated forGrammy Awards 2006 in the category of "Best Contemporary World Music Album". In the 1990s, a friend had introduced David Harrington ofKronos Quartet to the song "Aaj ki raat." Harrington was mesmerised, and the song ended up on the albumKronos Caravan.
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, Bhosle 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 Bhosle recorded one song for the soundtrack of the Pakistani movieMein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaaonga. She sang the song titled "Dil Key Taar Bajey", with Pakistani pop singerJawad Ahmed. It was aired as part of the film's promotional campaign and became very popular, featuring ontop music charts.[citation needed]
Bhosle sang her first Bengali song in 1958 under the banner ofHis Master's Voice. The songs were music bySudhin Dasgupta and Binod Chattopadhyay. On the next year, she recorded her "Pooja Songs" from His Master's Voice with music composed byManna Dey. She sang many Pooja songs in Bengali.
Rahul Dev Burman converted some Hindi tracks to Bengali such as "Gunjone Dole Je Bhramar" (made from Gunguna Rahe Hain Bhanware in Aradhana), "Chokhe Name Bristi" (fromJane Kya Baat Hai), "Aaj Gun Gun Gun Kunje" (fromPyaar Deewana Hota Hain). In the mid-1970s, she would frequently sing for Bengali songs tuned bySudhin Dasgupta,Nachiketa Ghosh etc. In 1977, she sang the duet "Sara Pyaar Tumhara" withKishore Kumar inAnand Ashram and "Amar Swapno Tumi" in its Bengali version with the same title. In the 1970s, she sang a lot of songs in films such asChhadmabeshi,Bandi,Mouchak,Swayamsiddha,Amanush,Anand Ashram etc. In 1981, she sang the duet "Aadho Aalo Chhayate" with Kishore inKalankini Kankabati. In 1982, she sang the Bhajan "Kunjo Bihari He Giridhari" inMayer Ashirbad, In the same year, she sang "Kotha Hoyechilo" inTroyee. In 1987, she sang "Chirodini Tumi Je Amar" inAmar Sangee, composed by Bappi Lahiri. In 2014, she has created the album "Pancham Tumi Kothay" in honor of her husbandRahul Dev Burman's 75th birth anniversary. In this album she has sung 8 songs previously composed by Burman. She has also sung in a 2014 filmPaarapaar at the age of 81.[38][39]
Bhosle started her playback singing in Marathi with the mythological filmGokulcha Raja. Since then Bhosle has sung thousands of Marathi film songs,Bhavgeet (non-film songs). Natya sangeet from Mast erDeenanath Mangeshkar's Marathi Sangeet natak has also been recorded in Bhosle's voice. During the 1950s and 60s, Bhosle and her sister Lata were the main playback singers for Marathi films. She won the 1962Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Marathi film,Manini.[40] In 1963 music directorVasant Desai used her voice withTalat Mahmood in the film,Molkarin.[41]
Some Marathi films in which Bhosle has rendered her voice are:Molkarin,Jait Re Jait,Gharkul,Devbappa,Sangtye Aika,Sinhasan,Samna,Maratha Tituka Melvava, andNivdung.
Bhosle also sang many Marathi devotional songs (abhang) with music composed byShrinivas Khale.[42]
Bhosle's house is situated in Prabhukunj Apt on thePedder Road (now named Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg) area of SouthMumbai.
Bhosle, at the age of 16, had eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle. Ganpatrao was her personal secretary. Her husband and in-laws mistreated her. After a few years of marriage, Bhosle was turned out by a suspicious Ganpatrao[43] and she went to her maternal home with two children while pregnant with her third child. They separated in 1960. The eldest of her three children, Hemant Bhosle (named afterHemant Kumar), spent most of his early years as a pilot and quit to have a brief career as a music director. Hemant Bhosle's best known compositions were the Kishore-Bhosle duets such as "Aji Kaho Kya Haal Hai" fromAnpadh picturised on Vijendra Ghatke and "Sarika" and "Salamat Raho Tum" from the same film "Anpadh" picturised on Ashok Kumar and Sarika. Hemant died of cancer in 2015. Bhosle's daughterVarsha committed suicide on 8 October 2012; she was 56 years old and worked as a columnist forThe Sunday Observer andRediff.[44] Bhosle's youngest child, Anand Bhosle, has studied business and film direction. He manages Bhosle's career. Her grandson, Chaitanya (Chintu) Bhosle (Hemant's son) is a part of the world of music. He is a member of India's first and onlyboy band, "A Band of Boys". Her sistersLata andUsha Mangeshkar are playback singers. Her other, sisterMeena Mangeshkar and brotherHridaynath Mangeshkar are music directors. Her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle (daughter of Anand Bhosle) runs iAzureApple Inc. Store in Mumbai.[45] Zanai is an emerging singer andKathak dancer[46] and had sung with Bhosle.[47]
Bhosle marriedRahul Dev Burman in 1980 after a protracted romance despite vehement opposition from Rahul's mother to their relationship.[48][49][50][51] This was the second marriage for both Rahul and Bhosle. Rahul, 6 years younger than her, earlier got divorced from Rita Patel in 1971.[52]
Bhosle is an excellent cook and cooking is her favorite hobby. She often gets flooded with requests by Hindi film celebrities forkadai ghosht andbiryani dishes and has rarely turned down a request. In fact, herpayacurry,Goan fish curry anddal are very popular with theKapoor family of Hindi films. Once, when asked in aThe 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." The love of cooking got Bhosle into a successful restaurant business. She runsrestaurants inDubai andKuwait calledAsha's which offers traditional north-westernIndian cuisine.[53] It has a presence in the Wafi City development inDubai, as well as three restaurants inKuwait, atThe Avenues Mall, the Marina Mall and a brand new third outlet at the Spoons Complex. Other restaurants can be found inAbu 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. Bhosle has a 20% stake in the business. Bhosle is not involved in the 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 thechefs for almost six months. According to a December 2004 report in Menu Magazine,[54] Russell Scott, a former head of Harry Ramsden's (the fish and chips chain), secured the UK rights to the Bhosle's brand and planned to open up to 40 restaurants over the next five years. As part of her chain of restaurants, Bhosle has recently opened a new restaurant in Birmingham, UK. Bhosle will be on view at theMadame Tussauds gallery that opened in New Delhi in 2017.[55]
Bhosle'ssibling rivalry withLata Mangeshkar is often talked about, in spite of their insistence that these are just tales.[27] As young children, they were very close. As a child, Lata used to carry Bhosle all the time. They were so inseparable that when Lata went to school she would take Bhosle with her. One day the teacher protested and said that they cannot have two students on one fee. Lata refused to return to school without Bhosle and quit her studies.[56]
Lata considered Bhosle's act of eloping with her lover as irresponsible, leaving her alone to sing and earn for the family. This led to tensions between them. Bhosle herself stated in an interview[56] – "It was a love marriage and Latadidi did not speak to me for a long time. She disapproved of the alliance." At one time, their relationship was very adversarial and there have been periods of non-communication.
In her initial days in the industry, Bhosle always played second fiddle to her elder sister. Some say that Lata had once criticised Bhosle's relationship withO. P. Nayyar. This widened the rift between the two sisters and O. P. Nayyar also decided that he would never work with Lata. O. P. Nayyar had once revealed that "Asha and Lata, staying in opposite flats at Bombay'sPedder Road, shared a maid. Said maid's responsibility was to come and tell the younger sister that Lata had just recorded something wonderful for Bhosle to lose her vocal poise. Such was her Lata phobia that it took me some months to convince Bhosle that she had a voice individualistic enough to evolve a singing style all of her own."[31] Bhosle once said that she has worked for years to create a voice and a style that was different from Lata, so that she could carve her own niche and not be banished to live in her sister's shadow.[56]
Bhosle and Lata have also sung together. Their first duet was for the filmDaman (1951).[31] Some of their songs include "Man Bhawan Ke Ghar aye" (Chori Chori, 1956), "Sakhi ri sun bole papihaa us paar" (Miss Mary, 1957), "O chand jahaan woh jayein" (Sharada, 1957), "Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahi" (Mere Mehboob, 1963), "Unse Nazrein Mili" (Gazal, 1964), "Ai kash kisi deewane ko" (Aaye Din Bahar Ke, 1966), "Jabse Laagi Toose Najariya" (Shikar, 1968), "Main Haseena Nazneena Koi Mujhsa Nahi"(Baazi, 1968), "Main Chali Main Chali" (Padosan, 1968), "Chhap tilak sab" (Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki, 1978), and "Man kyun behka" (Utsav, 1984). While singing, Lata used to hold her notebook in her right hand, while Bhosle held hers in the left hand. This meant Lata had her face away from Bhosle, making it difficult for them to "anticipate" each other.[56]
The movieSaaz was supposedly based on Lata and Bhosle's rivalry.[57] Bhosle said about the movie – "To have two women in long plaits, take a couple of incidents and exaggerate them into a 3-hour film is such a waste of time."[56] In the last few years, Bhosle and Lata have often been seen in public, enjoying each other's company. In an interview withThe Times of India, Bhosle once said – "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!"
Britishalternative rock bandCornershop released "Brimful of Asha" in 1997. The song, dedicated to Bhosle, became an international hit single for the band and topped theUK Singles Chart in February 1998.[58] A number of remixes have been released as well, notably byNorman Cook, also known asFatboy Slim.
Asha Bhosle has won sevenFilmfare Best Female Playback Awards of 18 nominations.[59] She won her first two awards in 1967 and 1968. (Mangeshkar asked not to be considered for the award nominations after 1969 to promote new talent). After receiving the award in 1979, Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations hereafter. Despite this, Bhosle is the most frequent winner of this award to date, tying withAlka Yagnik. She was later given aSpecial Award forRangeela in 1996, and theFilmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Following is the list of her Filmfare Awards:
Asha has won theNational Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer twice:
IIFA Award for Best Female Playback
Bhosle is one of the very few Indian artists who has been nominated at theGrammy Awards.
-Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album -Ali Akbar Khan'sLegacy (nominated)
-Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album -You've Stolen My Heart (nominated)
Asha has won numerous other awards, including:
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)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.
Asha Bhosle, in fact, occupies pride of place --- she is all set to complete 13,000 songs. And that must rate as the highest in Indian cinema – Guinness or no Guinness.
