A star-struck evening, power-packed performances and some anecdotes, melody queen Asha Bhosle celebrated her 83rd birthday in the only way she could, through a live concert. Ankita Jain went foot-tapping in Mumbai
Very few octogenarians have joie de vivre. Fewer still have an infectious charm and can hold a room full of people in thrall. But it is the rarest like Asha Bhosle, resplendent in a lemon green sari, gajra in place and pearl strings around her neck, who can guarantee their presence in our future at 83. Others usually look back at the past. “I will be here greeting you guys the very same way I am doing today even after four years,” she said at a concert organised by Zee Classic called Timeless Asha. And despite the vicissitudes of life, she has not budged from her inherent faith. “I am an adherent believer in God. He gives you with one hand and takes from another,” she said tearfully. Having lost her husband and kids, her emptiness has never spilled into her songs. Equilibrium, in the end, is up to human beings.
“My life history is no less than a roller coaster ride. But one thing I have always believed throughout my journey is in the power of a smile. I have worked without expecting a penny as well because for me, my work is my passion. I have never cried in the presence of anyone; those tears are worth only under the shower”, said the veteran singer who carries versatility in her voice and even today can give tough competition to singers half her age. For six decades, she has not only churned out hits but gotten into our grooves, from classical to pop, rock, disco and rap. And in the age of did-you-knows, get this. She holds the Guinness World Record for having sung more than 15,000 songs in almost all Indian languages. “I used to take care of my three little children and leave for the city early morning everyday in search of a job. There were people who used to taunt me; there were few who loved me too. It is through these tidal pushes and pulls that I have progressed in my journey towards success.”
Understandably, the multi-generational actors of Bollywood, who lip-synced to her numbers, walked down the red carpet. And memory lane. There were the twinkling leading ladies — Dimple Kapadia, Jaya Prada, Zeenat Aman, Tabu, Helen, and Moushumi Chatterji. Zeenat admitted that had it not been for her rendition of Dum Maro Dum in Hare Krishna Hare Ram, people would have scarcely remembered her. “It kickstarted my career,” said the former glamour queen. On her part, Asha tai expressed her love for Helen, saying if she were a man she would have run away with the diva a long time ago. little did she realise that it was her sensuous voice modulation that lent class to Helen’s smooth cabaret moves. Perhaps that’s why Helen chose to shake a leg with her on stage. The normally reticent Tabu was cajoled into crooning a few lines. But the songstress was her humble self. “I used to feel ashamed that I am chosen to sing for such beautiful actresses,” she said.
At her wit’s best, Bhonsle fielded questions with ease and panache. Asked who would she like to feature in her biopic, she replied non-plussed: “Priyanka Chopra would be the perfect choice to portray me as she is a singer. Being a singer, she can express the mind well.” In fact, she confirmed completing her autobiography.
Asked about the legendary music composer and her husband RD Burman’s biopic, she said: “It should be made. People will get a chance to listen to his music. His unreleased, forgotten songs can be brought in front of everyone if his biopic is made.” And then she lapsed into a wonderful anecdote. “When I recorded the song Aaja Aaja, R D Burman rewarded me with Rs 500 for singing it better than Rafi saab. Pancham (as Burman was popularly known) had placed a bet on who would sing it better,” she said, laughing.
The singer went nostalgic as she spoke about how she celebrated her birthday as a child with her mother and as a wife with Pancham. “When I was a child, my mother would feed me sweets she made at home. Pancham would always find unique gifts. I love to cook, so he would find the most advanced kitchen tools that would ease my preparatory routines in the kitchen.”
Bhonsle considers every day as her birthday. “Every day I get up is a birthday for me. Nobody knows about the future. Therefore, I try to spend each day differently, keep myself well, do good and believe I have to work like a young horse.”
About melody queen and elder sister lata Mangeshkar, who showered her with blessings, she said: “lata didi’s blessing is the biggest gift for me.”
It was a soiree worth remembering for the jugalbandi of popular and classical maestros. There was Birju Maharaj, Pandit Jasraj and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. The leading lights of Hindi playback, Udit Narayan, Shaan, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Alka Yagnik showed up as did politician Sharad Pawar and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.
The audience went gaga as they watched their favourite stars dance and sing to Bhonsle’s hit numbers all through the evening. Rangeela actress Urmila Matondkar gave a power-packed performance, keeping in mind the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi, in a traditional Maharastrian saree. The second performance was by Bhumi Pednekar, the Dum laga Ke Haisha actress, who performed to the melody queen’s retro songs. Temperatures soared slightly higher when Parched actress Radhika Apte and choreographer Terrence lewis took over the stage with their sizzling salsa duet on romantic numbers like Paas Aao Na. Sawaar loon singer Monali Thakur also paid an exclusive homage to Asha tai. But in the end it was the legend herself , who pepped up the crowd, belting out her personal favourites.
“I have always wondered if someone could bless me and say that you have sung many beautiful songs, now is the time you must rest. But it is my audience who have never let me feel less alive. They have respected and loved me. I believe the reason behind this is I am as simple as them. I buy vegetables as they do, I visit places the way any normal person does.” Asha Bhonsle sure knows the way to win hearts.