Born on 8th September, 1933 in a small village named
Goar located in Maharashtra, Asha Bhosle is one of the most talented and
versatile playback singers of the Indian film industry. She was born in
a traditional Marathi family and her father, Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar
was a theater artist and a classical singer. He died when she was just
nine years old and the whole family had to move to Pune then Kolhapur
and then finally Bombay. Asha, along with her elder sister Lata
Mangeshkar started to sing and act in films to support the family. Her
life has been full of trials and tribulations, yet she remained
determined to achieve success. Read her life history in this biography
of Asha Bhonsle.
Her first film song was "Chala Chala Nav Bala" of the Marathi
movie Majha Bal, 1943. After five years in 1948 she sang her first Hindi
film song for the film "Chunariya" called "Saawan Aaya".
When she was 16 years old, she eloped with Ganpatrao Bhosle, the 31 year
old secretary of her sister Lata. The marriage did not work and Asha was
ill treated by her in-laws. She was sent back to her maternal home by
her husband after a few years of marriage and when she was pregnant with
her third child. Asha refused to be dependent on anyone and continued to
sing in films to earn money for her kids.
Her sister Lata Mangeshkar was a very famous singer during those days
and got offers to sing for the main heroines. Asha got the songs that
were rejected by other singers like singing for the vamps, second
fiddles and B-Grade movies. Even then she sang many songs that were
quite popular. She also got a chance to sing "Nanhe Munne Bachche"
with Mohammed Rafi in the film Boot Polish, which became very famous.
She also sang for many Marathi films and also sang Marathi devotional
songs and Bhajans, which became very popular.
Asha Bhonsle got her big break in the year 1956 with the movie C.I.D
under the director O.P Nayyar. With time, the Asha Bhonsle - O.P Nayyar
team produced many huge hits. She also got many chances to work with S.D
Burman and other famous music directors. In mid 1960's she collaborated
with S.D Burman's son R.D Burman and sang for the movie Teesri Manzil.
The songs were phenomenal and the movie was a hit. She became the voice
of Helen, the famous dancer of Bollywood, who used to come to the
recording studio to listen Asha sing in order to choreograph her dance
steps. Movies like Caravan, Don, Hare Krishna Hare Ram, etc. went on to
become big blockbusters.
She married R.D Burman and they together belted out some of the most
versatile hits and melodious songs. Asha proved her ability to sing
emotional and classical songs with the film Umrao Jaan in 1981. The
songs are heard with much enthusiasm even today. Her career got a new
boost in the year 1994 with the movie Rangeela. She sang with an amazing
level of energy despite the fact that she had crossed 60. She is well
over 70 now and continues to sing even today and give stiff competition
to other singers.
Awards:
1967 - Garibon ki suno (Dus Lakh 1966)
1968 - Parde mein rahne do (Shikar 1968)
1971 - Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan 1971)
1972 - Dum Maro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971)
1973 - Hone Lagi Hain Raat (Naina 1973)
1974 - Chain se Humko Kabhi (Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye 1974)
1977 - Yeh Mera Dil (Don 1978)
2000 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
1981 - Dil Cheez Kya Hai (Umrao Jaan)
1986 - Mera Kuch Samaan (Ijazat)
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Music of India |
