Happy Birthday Asha Ji-3 takeaways from an evening listening to her

“Music has been my life. It has given me so much,” says Asha Bhosle. “This birthday, however, is different. I shall be 90. I thought, what better way to turn 90 than to do a Broadway-style concert.” An idea that her son conceived for an artiste who will be performing on stage, celebrating 8 decades in the industry.  She will be singing LIVE with other artists &\ and dancers. The evening is called ‘Asha@90’. It will be held at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena today, September 8. 

Meeting Asha Ji was one of the highlights of my life on her 84th birthday in 2018. She was in Bengaluru on that day and I was hosting that show. It was a beautiful evening. Watching her at close quarters it was very clear that she was very much in the now, real, simple to talk to & completely present. She definitely has seen a lot of pain and her talent has been polished and refined by the teacher called LIFE.

Never dreamt I would get to sing “Happy Birthday” to her. How off-key I got with excitement!

Asha Bhonsle is a versatile singer. Her range and her repertoire of songs are proof of what she could justify. At 90 in a recent honor, after the “She Shakthi award” was bestowed on her  by the President, Asha ji sang “Chura Liya” and did not seem anywhere out of tune.” Her love for life is very evident in all her interviews. At 90 she seems still in love with both herself & life. Meeting her in person is something completely different.

While finding her foothold in the highly competitive world of film music was not a cakewalk, her life too had its ups and downs. Her tough times made her enjoy the good times even more she says. You realize how her life has been only because she shares her journey quite openly. Her conversation that evening revealed why she is so special. A few of the takeaways from the Artistic, Stylish, Humorous, and Affable ASHA I admire. A singer on whom I have done numerous shows, enjoying every song in the 12,000+ songs getting her officially in the Guinness Book of World Records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfxvzDXCZug 

Here are three key takeaways from listening to Asha Ji:

Keep the child in you alive: When Asha Ji was sharing with the audience, stories behind certain songs and artists, she clearly was enjoying the stories herself. Her memory and ability to laugh at herself too made her storytelling interesting. Her imitation skills especially of Lata Mangeshkar are legendary. The curiosity she shared, helped her learn and improve her renditions. An artiste with no ego, she makes it easy for music directors who want to work with her or journalists who want to interview her. Her songs with newcomers and the number of interviews that are available online are proof!

Be Self-aware: In a world that easily blames the character of a single mother if she succeeds, Asha ji had her initial struggles to establish herself in a male-dominated industry. She needed to find herself and see where her strength lay. When asked about OP Nayyar being her initial benefactor, she admits that he did give her the break. However, she went on to explain how just because one person likes her, she cannot come up. Public acceptance is very important, and she needs to work on herself. The world truly loves a winner. Nobody however talks about the back story. She was a single mother who needed to establish herself and so shared the hours she had to be out of home to keep the home fires burning. This journey of self-awareness made her strong and courageous to experiment and get out of her comfort zone.

Challenge yourself and invest in your interests: Asha Bhonsle is multifaceted all rolled into one. She is a mother, Singer, Entrepreneur, Actress, and reviewer all rolled into one. It’s amazing to see her slip into each of these roles easily. She is forever prepared to face life. It did not matter to her when a suggestion came her way, she was game to experiment. Khayyam music director of Umrao Jaan brought out the best in Asha ji in this film. Talking about "Yeh kya jagah hain" she says, “Everything about this song was so unique. It was sad, haunting and I sang it two notes lower than my usual pitch." She constantly ignored the world and did what she wanted to do. When all alone with her children, it was the work that came her way where she did her best and went her way to create her impact. Listening to songs from different languages, she created a style of her own.

In a recent interview, Asha ji describes her life as one of Nari Shakthi. It is when a lady recognizes her own Shakthi there is a lot she can do with herself. She also believes that what is in your destiny, will be yours. Asha Tai as she is popularly called is one of her kind. Her attitude is iconic. Her mantra “Aaj ka din hamara hain."  Her inspiration definitely is the words from the National Award-winning song, “Mushkil nahi hain kuch bhi agar taan lijiye!” (Dil cheez)

Listing some of Ashaji’s favorite songs and would love to know yours!

Kaali ghata chhaye (Sujata, 1959). Music: SD Burman. Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Aaiye meherban (Howrah Bridge, 1958). Music: OP Nayyar. Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi

Shok nazar ki bijliyan (Woh Kaun Thi, 1964). Music: Madan Mohan. Lyrics: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan  

Roz roz aankhon tale (Jeeva, 1986). Music: RD Burman. Lyrics: Gulzar

Chain se humko kabhi (Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye, 1974). Music: OP Nayyar. Lyrics: SH Bihari

Katra katra; Chhoti si kahaani se and Mera kuch saamaan (Ijaazat, 1988). Music: RD Burman. Lyrics: Gulzar

Raaz ki baat hai (Dil Hi To Hai, 1963). Music: Roshan. Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi

Rang de (Thakshak, 1999). Music: AR Rahman. Lyrics: Mehboob

Abhi na jao chhod kar (Hum Dono, 1961). Music: Jaidev. Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi

Dum maro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1972). Music: RD Burman. Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

Chura liya hai (Yaadon Ki Baraat, 1973). Music: RD Burman. Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Raat akeli hai (Jewel Thief, 1967). Music: SD Burman. Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Happy Birthday, Ashaji! May you continue to find happiness in all that you do.

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