Asha Bhosle
BIOGRAPHY
One of the greatest playback singers in Bollywood history, Asha Bhosle has recorded over 10,000 songs for over 800 movies. Although every class (ghazals, pop, etc) of song was within her vocal range, her specialty was in sensual songs or Western-styled songs--she had an uncanny knack for making every actress for whom she sung, from Zeenat Aman to Urmila Matondkar, smolder on screen as never before.
Born on 8 September 1932, Asha, like her sister, the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, was trained by her father, Dinanath Mangeshkar, in classical music, and it was only a matter of time before she too turned to playback singing. She made her debut with the film Chunaria (1948), but it took her a long time to make it to the top. Between 1948 and 1957, she sang more songs than any other playback singer, but the majority of these were in small, indistinct films--and whatever big film she got a chance to sing in, it was usually for the heroine's best friend or in a duet with bigger singers like Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt, or her own sister. And unfortunately having made an ill-advised marriage that alienated her from her family, she had no choice but to take up all available assignments to provide for her children.
However, in 1957, she got her big break with composer O.P. Nayyar in the films Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Naya Daur (1957). And 1958 saw the release of three of her films: Lajwanti (1958), Howrah Bridge (1958), and Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958); their hit songs took Asha right up to the top. Thereafter, she became Nayyar's premier singer until the early 1970s, and they created musical magic together, particularly in the films Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Mere Sanam (1965), Humsaya (1968), and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974).
Initially Asha's singing style was initially reminiscent of Dutt's, but she soon overcame that and evolved her own distinctive style. Her voice possessed a lilting, versatile quality that could capture any song at any form or scale. By the end of the 1960s, she was second only to her sister, and the two of them were the queens of Indian playback singing right through to the 1990s. However, in spite of her incredible vocal range, she was getting typecast in singing sensual songs.
The 1970s saw her start a new relationship (which eventually became her second marriage) with composer Rahul Dev Burman - and so saw the birth of a great combination. A master of 1970s pop and disco music, Burman gave Asha a hip and happening sound altogether, and the two of them made their greatest hits with Haré Rama Haré Krishna (1971), Jawani Diwani (1972), Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977). Unfortunately, she again got stereotyped, this time in singing mainly Western-styled songs.
However, in 1981, the composer Khayyam revealed another, more lyrical quality to Asha's voice. Their collaboration in the Urdu film Umrao Jaan (1981), where the songs were mostly poetry, reveal some of her finest songs. And Ijaazat (1987), another such film, got her the National Award. Today, unlike her sister, she has remained active in playback singing--she still makes actresses sizzle in songs, most notably in the films Rangeela (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), and Taal (1999). She has also released several Indipop (Indian pop) music albums, and their success has reaffirmed Asha's.
AS A PLAYBACK SINGER
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Lucknow Times (Video short) (completed) |
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Fariyaad Sun Fakeera (Video short) (Singer) |
2020 |
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WhatsApp Love (singer) |
2020 |
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Phir Aaya Satte Pe Satta (playback singer) |
2017 |
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Begum Jaan (playback singer) |
2017 |
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Lucknow Times (singer) |
2016 |
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31st October (singer) |
2015 |
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Black Home (singer: singer) |
2015 |
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Hum Baja Bajaa Denge (playback singer) |
2015 |
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Kaash Tum Hote (singer) |
2015 |
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Miss Match (playback singer) |
2015 |
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Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai (playback singer) |
2015 |
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Parapaar (playback singer) |
2015 |
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Tamanchey: Pyar Mein Dil Pe Maar De Goli (playback singer) |
2015 |
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Revolver Rani (playback singer) |
2014 |
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Sona Spa (playback singer) |
2013 |
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Chargesheet (playback singer) |
2011 |
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1920 (playback singer) |
2008 |
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Mr. White Mr. Black (playback singer) |
2008 |
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Yaar Meri Zindagi (playback singer) |
2008 |
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Shri Siddhivinayak Mahima (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Ek Krantiveer: Vasudev Balwant Phadke (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2007 |
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Bal Ganesh (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Chandamama (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaoon Ga (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Joy: The Real Love Story (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Utthaan (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Yatra (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Corporate (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Aatma (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Darna Zaroori Hai - You Gotta Be Scared (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Teesri Aankh: The Hidden Camera (playback singer) |
2007 |
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My Faraway Bride (playback singer) |
2007 |
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Aap Ke Dil Mein (Short) (playback singer) |
2006 |
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Bhagmati (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Chandramukhi (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Lucky: No Time for Love (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Bewafaa (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Page 3 (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Awargi (Short) (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Hazoor-e-Ala (Short) (playback singer) |
2005 |
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Lakeer - Forbidden Lines (playback singer) |
2004 |
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Kis Kis Ki Kismat (playback singer) |
2004 |
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Dev (playback singer) |
2004 |
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Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke (playback singer) |
2004 |
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Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities (playback singer) |
2004 |
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Sandhya (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Tehzeeb (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Paanch (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Chupke Se (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Joggers' Park (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2003 |
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Footpath (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Khwahish (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Escape from Taliban (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2003 |
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Satta (playback singer) |
2003 |
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Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2003 |
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Be-Lagaam (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2002 |
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Saathiya (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Rishtey (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Soch (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Chhal (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2002 |
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Devdas (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Company (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Kranti (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Filhaal... (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Maa Tujhhe Salaam (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Koi Diya Jale Kahin (Short) (playback singer) |
2002 |
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Ashi Gyaneshwari (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Jeevan Saathi (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Master (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Yaadein... (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2001 |
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Grahan (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko (Short) (playback singer) |
2001 |
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Aakhir Kaun Thi Woh? (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Le Chal Apne Sang (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2000 |
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Shikari (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!! (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Karobaar: The Business of Love (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
2000 |
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Fiza (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Gang (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Khauff (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Hey Ram (playback singer) |
2000 |
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Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1999 |
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Thakshak (playback singer) |
1999 |
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Mast (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1999 |
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Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin (playback singer) |
1999 |
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Hindustan Ki Kasam (playback singer) |
1999 |
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Dil Ka Sauda (singer) |
1999 |
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Zulmi (playback singer) |
1999 |
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Lal Baadshah (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1999 |
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Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh (playback singer) |
1999 |
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Asol Nakol (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Ghar Bazar (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Earth (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1998 |
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Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsla) |
1998 |
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Satya (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Dushman (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1998 |
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Kabhi Na Kabhi (playback singer - as Ashabhonsle) |
1998 |
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Qila (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Aakrosh: Cyclone of Anger (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Yugpurush: A Man Who Comes Just Once in a Way (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Badmaash (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1998 |
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Hitler (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Diwana (Remix) (Short) (playback singer) |
1998 |
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Aar Ya Paar (playback singer - as Asha Bhonsle) |
1997 |
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Darmiyaan: In Between (playback singer - as Asha Bho |
1997 |
