MUMBAI: The last of the living legends of Indian film music, singer Asha Bhosle, passed away at Breach Candy hospital Sunday. The 92 year old artiste had captured the hearts of the entire nation, indeed fans worldwide, during a long career spanning 70 years.The final rites will be performed at Shivaji Park tomorrow 4.00pm will full state honours.Bhosle was hospitalised Saturday after suffering cardiac and respiratory ailments that led to multi organ failure.Born Sept 8, 1933 in Sangli, Asha Bhosle was the third daughter of Pt Deenanath Mangeshkar. She performed her first song, Chala Chala Nav Bala at age 10 for the movie 'Majha Bal' in 1943.
Her earliest chorus Hindi film songs released in 1948 including 'Saawan Aaya' (Chunariya) and another number in 'Andhon Ki Duniya'.
Her first solo Hindi film song was for Raat Ki Rani (1949).Asha's milestone musical collaboration with composer OP Nayyar sparked with 'Naya Daur' (1957). Her last song with him was 'Chain se humko kabhi aapne jeene na diya' ('Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye', 1974). This song won her a Filmfare Award although it was never picturised in the film.Her ensuing partnership with music director RD Burman, whom she later married, blossomed as they worked on 'Teesri Manzil' (1966). Asha had recalled how she was once rehearsing the convulsive tune of 'Aa aa aaja! ' seated in the back of her car when the alarmed driver heard her wheezing and turned to ask if she was feeling ill!Her collaboration with RD Burman and Gulzar resulted in a breeze of film and non-film classics like Khushboo, Ijaazat, Namkeen, Khoobsurat and Dil Padosi Hai.
Asha Bhosle won her first National Award for 'Dil cheez kya hai' in Khayyam's piece de resistance 'Umrao Jaan' (1981). Her second National Award came for 'Mera kuchh saamaan' (Ijaazat, 1986).Her international collaborations with Boy George, Michael Stipe, the Kronos Quartet, Nelly Furtado and Code Red began in the 1980s with a group called the West India Company. In 1997, a British band Cornershop paid tribute to her with 'Brimful of Asha‘.
A 2005 hit number by Black-Eyed Peas 'Don’t Phunk With My Heart' was derived from two of Asha's songs.In 1997, she became the first Indian singer to be nominated for a Grammy. She was bestowed the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001.In 2011, the Guinness World Records recognised Asha Bhosle as the most recorded artist in music history, with 11,000 songs including solos, duets and chorus numbers in multiple languages to her credit.Age did not prevent her from experimenting with different facets of her talent. In 2002, Asha composed the music for an original album 'Aap Ki Asha'. In 2013, at the age of 79, she stepped before the camera as an actress with the Marathi film 'Mai' co-starring her niece Padmini Kolhapure.Asha Bhosle was well reputed in the film industry for being an excellent cook. Friends and colleagues looked forward to her invitations, particularly when non vegetarian items were on the menu. In 2002, this passion gave rise to her Asha's chain of restaurants which operates in 14 locations in five countries including the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UK (Birmingham and Manchester). The menu includes her personal favourite dishes especially Mumbai's street food.
