Asha Bhosle has given her voice in 12000 songs for all music directors. She had a variation in her voice. Her voice was young and fresh. We have covered her favourite songs that are loved by all.
Asha Bhosle Started Early
Ashaji started singing at the age of 10 in the year 1943 and she first lent her voice for a Marathi film. Her first recording for a Hindi film was in 1948. Her singing career lasted for more than 80 years and she was last seen at Arjun Tendulkar’s wedding in Mumbai.
Singer Who Mastered All Genres Of Music
Ashaji gave voice to ghazal, bhajan, pop, jazz, qawwali and film music. Her songs with R.D. Burman are the best and they gave many outstanding songs. She had sang for all big music composers from O. P. Nayyar to Jatin Lalit and Nadeem Shravan.
Asha Bhosle Won Many Awards
Ashaji has numerous national and international accolades. She has a couple of national awards and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Also had many Filmfare awards and state awards. She has a Guinness World Record and was the first singer to be nominated at the Grammy Awards in 1997.
Asha Bhosle Has Sung With All Top Singers
Asha Bhosle has memorable songs with Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Talat Mehmood, Kumar Sanu, Udit Marayan, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and Shaan. She also sung alongwith Lata Mangeshar, Alka Yagnik and Sunidhi Chauhan.
Asha Bhosle’s Own Favorite Songs
In an interview to Hindustan Times she was asked about her favorite songs which she sang. She replied “It is very tough to choose 15-20 songs out of more than seven decades of singing. The songs I have chosen are not in any order of preference. For me every song I sing is always like my first song.”
- In Aakhon Ki Masti Ke and Yeh Kya Jageh Hai Doston – From Umrao Jaan(1981)
Music Director: Khayyam
Lyrics: Shahryar
Ashaji shared the details”Jaidevji was originally supposed to compose the music for this film, but later Khayyam saheb took over. Director Muzaffar Ali gave me a novel on Umrao Jaan to read to get into Umrao’s frame of mind before we recorded. Everything about this song was so unique. It was sad, haunting and I sung it two notes lower than my usual pitch. For In aankhon ki masti ke… Khayyam tried an Indian classical style and we improvised each line with harkats. Rekha added such magic to it.”
- Jhoothe Naina Bole Saachi Batiyaan
From- Lekin(1991)
Music Director: Hridaynath Mangeskar
Lyrics: Gulzar
Ashaji added “My brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar is a tough taskmaster. He trips you and challenges you with his experimentation with form. We recorded this song late into the night. It is a classical tune beautifully composed and was a challenge to sing. It’s also Hemaji’s favourite.”
- Kaali Ghata Chaye
Film: Sujata(1959)
Music Director: S.D.Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Ashaji shared the details “It’s a deceptively simple tune. But each line unravelled a new complexity as I discovered. Nutan’s simplicity and longing for love heightened the mood of Bimalda’s song.”
- Aaiye Meherban
Film: Howrah Bridge(1958)
Music Director: O P Nayyar
Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi
She shared the details “Having the beautiful Madhubala as a diva crooner was half the battle won. OP Nayyar’s score was inspired.”
- Shok Nazar Ki Bijliyan
Film: Woh Kaun Thi(1964)
Music Director: Madan Mohan
Lyrics: Raja Mehdi ali Khan
Asha shared some details “One of the few chartbusters I had with Madan Mohan. I liked the fact that it was picturised at a skating rink.”
- Roz Roz Aakhon Tale
Film: Jeeva(1986)
Music Director: R D Burman
Lyrics: Gulzar
Ashaji was at her best with Panchamda and she added “Pancham’s biggest misfortune was that his best songs never got their due or were only recognised after his time. I like this song’s opening and middle notes.”
- Chain Se Humko Kabhi
Film: Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye(1974)
Music Director: O P Nayyar
Lyrics: SH Bihari
Ashaji has memories about the song which she shared “In sad moments, this song is a balm. I’m always asked for this song at my shows. SH Bihari has told me that the song was a reflection of the pain and turbulence I was going through at that time.”
- Sajna Hai Mujhe
Film: Saudagar(1973)
Music Director: Ravindra Jain
Lyrics: Ravindra Jain
Ashaji said “The composition was melodious and also picturised evocatively.”
9. Katra Katra, Mera Kuch Samaan and Chhoti Si Kahaani
Film: Izzazat(1998)
Music Director: R D Burman
Lyrics: Gulzar
The singer had many memories about the songs “Pancham made me use the double voice effect – he made me sing Katra katra twice, one over the other, to get an echo effect. This was much before editing and new forms of dubbing evolved. It was a tough song. Those days, it was all one take. No cut, copy and paste. At the recording of Mera kuch samaan, Pancham would quarrel with Gulzar over the esoteric lyrics. When I started humming the refrain ‘Woh lauta do’ Pancham caught on to that catchphrase and composed the tune.”
10. Raaz Ki Baat Hai
Film: Dil Hi To Hai(1963)
Music Director: Roshan
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
She added about this song “One of my favourite qawwalis. If I’m not mistaken, Lata didi is also very fond of this song of mine.”
11. Tu Tu Hai Wahi
Film: Yeh Wadaa Raha(1982)
Music Director: R D Burman
Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra
Ashaji added “Pancham, Ramesh Behl and I were all one group and we’d discuss music and songs over the choicest khaana-peena. The Yeh Waada Raha songs happened at one such magical moment. I miss those days.”
12. Maang Mein Bharle Rang
Film: Mujhe Jeene Do(1963)
Music Director: Jaidev
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Asha remembered “It’s a very difficult song to sing, plus it had a sweet tune by Jaidevji.”
13. Rang De
Film: Takshak(1999)
Music Director: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Mehboob
Ashaji felt that it was a difficult song to sing and she said “It was a difficult song that AR Rahman made me sing. I feel breathless as the lyrics and the tune coil and overlap.”
14. Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar
Film: Hum Dono(1961)
Music Director: Jaidev
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Asha Bhosle said “Jaidev’s tunes were like him – simple and pure. The aching feeling and the Sadhana-Dev Anand magic only added to the song’s appeal. Rafi saab’s nuances helped me as a singer too.”
15. O Babua, Yeh Mahua
Film: Sadma(1983)
Music Director: Ilayaraja
Lyrics: Gulzar
She fondly remembered the song and said “I’ve always enjoyed singing for Ilayaraja for his unusual rhythm pattern. I didn’t realise this would turn into such a sensual song. It’s picturised with Kamal Haasan and Silk Smitha. It’s just Wow!”
16. Ambar Ki Ek Pakh Surahi
Film: Kadambari(1976)
Music Director: Vilayat Ali Khan
Lyrics: Amrita Pritam
Ashaji remembered her soulful number and said “This song by Ustad Vilayat Khan was mellow and had a lot of harkats. It was emotionally enriching.”
Dum Maro Dum
Film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna(1972)
Music Director: R D Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Ashaji said “Sachin Dev Burman didn’t want to compose for this film because it dealt with drugs and hippies, so Pancham took over. He gave the iconic Dum maro dum some really enchanting bass and harkats.”
18. Chura Liya Hai
Film: Yaadon Ki Baraat(1973)
Music Director: R D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
She said “One of the most requested songs at all my shows. There’s something really tender and love-struck about Pancham’s lilting tune.”
19. Raat Akeli Hai
Film: Jewel Thief(1967)
Music Director: S D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
She remembered the song and said “One of the most requested songs at all my shows. There’s something really tender and love-struck about Pancham’s lilting tune.”
All music lovers have their own favourite songs of Asha Bhosle. Her songs will be in our hearts for ages. The list of her unforgettable songs is endless, like her number of songs.
