The singer, who began her playback singing career in the shadow of her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar in the late forties, successfully collaborated with music directors such as OP Nayyar, Sachin Dev Burman, RD Burman, Khayyam and Bappi Lahiri, giving Hindi cinema some of its most memorable songs. But this is my first and last film as an actor," Asha said. If every woman doesn't cry while watching the film, then I will change my name. "I had a great time working for this film. The singer is also making her acting debut with Marathi film 'Maaee' this November, playing a woman who is abandoned by her only son in her twilight years. I haven't seen anyone who has done that," she said. I have sung songs in Malayalam and all types of songs. "There is no one because I have sung all types of songs in different styles, in different languages. The versatile singer feels that there is no one in the industry today who can take her place.
I like to connect directly with my audience through stage shows now," the Dadasaheb Phalke winner said.Īsha, whose international collaborations include English singer Boy George and boyband Code Red, is working on her new album which will release by this year. "I too don't want to sing songs which can make my grandchildren feel ashamed of me. "I remember during the recording of 'Piya tu ab to aaja', lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri left the recording studio saying, 'what will my children say when they hear the song?' Apart from Hindi, she has sung in over 20 Indian and foreign languages.Īsha, who began her playback career with cabaret songs, feels that lyrics have become more vulgar in Bollywood. Renowned for her voice range, Asha has worked across genres - film music, pop, ghazal, bhajan, Indian classical, folk songs, qawwali and Rabindra Sangeet. I don't need to prove myself anymore," Asha told PTI. I can never sing songs like 'Halkat jawaani'. "Somebody offered me a song 'Dil ke jhopdi mein mashal jala de', which I refused. Everything is computerised now and today's songs lack melody. "I now take up very few playback assignments because I don't enjoy it that much anymore. She continues to inspire young generation of singers but dislikes too much use of technology in music. Yet, I dare to choose this song as my favorite because I have loved it ever since I was a young girl.Veteran singer Asha Bhosle, the melodious voice behind classic numbers like 'Chura liya hai tumne', 'Dum maaro dum' and 'Mera Kuchh Saamaan', says she has cut down on Bollywood singing as the songs she is offered lack melody.Īsha, who celebrates her 79th birthday tomorrow, has sung more than 12000 songs in a career spanning more than six decades.
Her sensuous, rich voice has given us countless songs, and woe betide the person who tries to choose a favorite few. It is indeed impossible to imagine what it would have been like without her. It is hard to describe her contribution to film music. This is a perennial valentine favorite and will remain so for many years to come. This song is a simply beautiful composition by RD Burman, set to amazingly beautiful lyrics by Majrooh, and sung with almost whispery longing by Asha and assisted most ably by Rafi.
Of course, it is later that we went ‘ugh’ when we saw him on TV serials, but in those days, with movies like Yadoon Ki Baraat, Phagun and Ek Mutthi Asmaan, he was quite likeable to us.Įven though the movie was a multi-starer with Dharamendra (loner), Vijay Arora (with Zeenat), Tariq (with Neetu), the lead romantic pair was surely Vijay and Zeenat. I was crazy about Zeenat Aman and loved her completely in this film, even though she was paired opposite Vijay Arora.
A movie as enjoyable as Yaadon ki baraat created a buzz, with my classmates discussing scenes from this film and singing its songs. Was I in college or in school? A quick look at the year in which the movie released is the best way to find out. Sometimes I find it hard to remember when I saw a particular movie. This article is written by Ava Suri, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.