Explore the inspiring life of Asha Bhosle, the legendary Indian playback singer whose career spans over seven decades. Discover her rise to fame, iconic collaborations, personal struggles, and lasting legacy in the world of music. From Bollywood hits to ghazals, Asha’s versatile voice has left an indelible mark on Indian music history.
Asha Bhosle-Brief Life Sketch
Asha Bhosle was a playback singer in the Indian film industry. He was born on September 8, 1933, in Satara, Maharashtra. His father was Dinanath Mangeshkar, a musicologist. She learned classical music from her father. At 14, she made her debut as a lead singer in the film ‘Bari Maa’. Since then, she has sung more than 12,000 songs in 14 languages. At first, Ganapatha married Bhosle but the marriage ended in divorce. Later, Asha Bhosle married for the second time to musician Bahul Dev Barman. Asha Bhosle has won numerous awards and accolades for contributing to the music industry. Some among them are- the Filmfare Award, National Award for Best Singer, Nightingale of Asia Award, Lata Mangeshkar Award, M-TV Viewers Choice Award, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, and Padma Bhushan. 0 0 0
Asha Bhosle-Comprehensive Biography
Introduction
Asha Bhosle, one of the most iconic and versatile playback singers in Indian music history, was born on September 8, 1933, in the small town of Sangli, Maharashtra, India. Her unparalleled career spans over seven decades, and her melodious voice has left an indelible mark on the world of Indian music. From soulful ballads to peppy numbers, and ghazals to bhajans, Asha has sung in almost every genre, showcasing her extraordinary range and versatility.
Early Life and Family Background
Asha Bhosle was born into the musically gifted Mangeshkar family. Her father, Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, was a renowned classical musician and theater actor, while her mother, Shevanti, was a homemaker. Asha was the third of five siblings, all of whom went on to carve their niche in the music industry. Her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, is a revered playback singer and is often considered the “Nightingale of India.”
Asha’s father passed away when she was just nine years old, which plunged the family into financial difficulties. To support the family, Asha and Lata began singing in films. Asha’s journey as a professional singer began in 1943 when she was only ten years old. She performed her first song, “Chala Chala Nav Bala” for the Marathi film *Majha Bal*. This marked the beginning of a career that would redefine Indian playback singing.
Struggles and Early Career
Despite being Lata Mangeshkar’s sister, Asha Bhosle’s journey to success was far from smooth. The early years of her career were fraught with struggle as she tried to find her own identity in an industry dominated by her sister. She faced criticism and was often typecast, receiving offers only for “second-tier” songs. However, Asha’s indomitable spirit and perseverance kept her going.
In 1948, she got her first Hindi song, “Saawan Aaya” for the film ‘Chunariya’. Over the next few years, she sang in several films but struggled to find a distinct space of her own. During this period, Asha also made a crucial personal decision. At the age of 16, she eloped with Ganpatrao Bhosle, a much older man and secretary to Lata Mangeshkar. This decision estranged her from her family and added to her struggles, both personally and professionally.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Asha’s big break came in the 1950s when she started working with composer O.P. Nayyar. Their collaboration marked a turning point in her career, with Asha lending her voice to some of the most memorable songs of that era. The 1957 film *Naya Daur* featured songs like “Maang Ke Saath Tumhara” and “Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri,” which became instant hits. This partnership established Asha as a leading playback singer and began a new chapter in her career.
The 1960s saw Asha Bhosle rise to prominence, collaborating with leading composers such as R.D. Burman, Khayyam, and S.D. Burman. Her partnership with R.D. Burman, in particular, produced a treasure trove of hits and is considered one of the most successful in Bollywood history. Songs like “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” (Caravan), “Dum Maro Dum” (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), and “Mera Kuch Saamaan” (Ijaazat) showcased her ability to adapt to the evolving trends in music while maintaining her unique style. Asha and R.D. Burman eventually married in 1980, after his divorce, and their personal and professional lives remained intertwined until his death in 1994.
Asha Bhosle: The Versatile Virtuoso
Asha Bhosle’s repertoire extends far beyond Hindi film music. She has sung in over 20 languages, including Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, and even foreign languages like English and Russian. She is known for her versatility, effortlessly transitioning from classical ragas to pop, ghazals to cabaret, and folk to bhajans. Her unique ability to bring emotions to life through her voice, whether in a soulful ghazal or a playful item number, has made her a favorite across generations.
Her classical training is evident in songs like “Parde Mein Rehne Do” (Shikar), while her westernized voice can be heard in songs like “O Mere Sona Re” (Teesri Manzil). Her work in the 1981 film ‘Umrao Jaan’ is particularly noteworthy. Under the guidance of composer Khayyam, Asha delivered a series of exquisite ghazals such as “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” and “In Aankhon Ki Masti,” which won her the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
Awards and Recognitions
Asha Bhosle’s contribution to Indian music has been widely recognized and celebrated. She has won numerous awards, including seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and two National Film Awards. In 2000, she was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema, for her lifetime contribution to the film industry. In 2008, she was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
In addition to her singing career, Asha Bhosle has also tried her hand at acting. She made her acting debut in the film ‘Mai’ (2013), playing the role of a mother suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Although her foray into acting was brief, it showcased her willingness to explore new creative territories.
Beyond Music: Asha Bhosle, the Entrepreneur
Asha Bhosle’s passion for food is as well-known as her love for music. A self-proclaimed foodie, she is an accomplished cook and has opened a chain of restaurants called “Asha’s,” with branches in Dubai, Kuwait, and the UK. Her restaurants serve a blend of traditional Indian cuisine with a modern twist, reflecting Asha’s innovative spirit.
Legacy and Influence
Asha Bhosle’s legacy is not just confined to her countless songs and accolades but also lies in her influence on generations of musicians and singers. Her unique style, characterized by a blend of classical training and a willingness to experiment with new genres, has inspired countless artists. She has been a mentor to many aspiring singers and has played a crucial role in shaping the Indian music industry as it evolved over the decades.
Personal Life and Resilience
Asha Bhosle’s personal life has been a testament to her resilience and strength. Her marriage to Ganpatrao Bhosle ended in separation, leaving her to raise her children as a single mother. Her second marriage to R.D. Burman brought stability and happiness, but his untimely death in 1994 was a severe blow. Despite these personal challenges, Asha continued to pursue her passion for music with undiminished zeal.
In 2012, Asha faced one of the greatest personal tragedies when her daughter, Varsha, passed away. The pain of losing a child was immense, but Asha showed incredible strength, returning to the stage and continuing to perform, drawing solace from her music and her fans.
Asha Bhosle Today
Even in her 90s, Asha Bhosle remains an active presence in the music world. She continues to perform at concerts, connect with her fans on social media, and experiment with new music. Her indomitable spirit, boundless energy, and unquenchable thirst for creativity are as inspiring today as they were at the start of her career.
Asha Bhosle’s journey from a struggling young singer to the queen of playback singing is not just the story of a legendary artist but also of a woman who defied the odds, broke stereotypes, and carved her path in the male-dominated music industry. Her voice, imbued with a thousand emotions, will continue to resonate in the hearts of millions, leaving an everlasting legacy in the annals of Indian music.
In the words of Asha Bhosle herself, “Music is like a flowing river, ever-changing and ever-growing. I am just a small part of this eternal flow, and I am grateful for the journey.”
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book ‘Introduction to World Personalities‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Composition by M. Menonimus:
- Advertisement Writing
- Amplification Writing
- Note Making
- Paragraph Writing
- Notice Writing
- Passage Comprehension
- The Art of Poster Writing
- The Art of Letter Writing
- Report Writing
- Story Writing
- Substance Writing
- School Essays Part-I
- School Essays Part-II
- School English Grammar Part-I
- School English Grammar Part-II..
Books of S. Story by M. Menonimus:
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons ..
Related Search:
- Lives of Poets
- Writers’ Lives
- Top Hundred Writers
- Best Writers of All Time
- Most Eminent English Poets
