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Unforgettable Asha


Asha Bhosle’s returns to puja songs with her Bengali album Mone Rekho

By Sonashree Basu
Posted On Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 07:33:27 PM


Asha launches her new album

The golden voice of Asha Bhosle, that has rendered timeless classics, is set to rekindle the essence of Bengali pujor gaan after 15 years. The new album of Bengali modern songs Mone Rekho was released in the presence of the eternal songstress herself at The Park.

The gracious lady arrived wearing a subtle white and pink sari. In the midst of the razzmatazz, the singer tried to pacify the paparazzi in her broken Bengali by saying, “Amar kotha na shunle amii kintu ebar ragbo”. As she unveiled the album, she asked if she was looking good on the cover. “Yeh bees saal purani tasveer hai,” said the singer, revealing her sense of humour.

As to why it took her so long to come up with a Bengali album, the diva replied, “Pujas are special for Bengalis. Pancham and I did a lot of puja songs during the 70s and 80s but after his death, I lost interest in singing those songs. I heard many compositions but perhaps that chemistry between Pancham and me that created that magic was amiss. Nevertheless, I met this talented man Babul Bose and asked him to create something exclusive. I had also promised to sing for Mahua Lahiri who had started Asha Audio Company with my name 25 years ago. I thought I owed an album to her and thus the album.”


The diva with Usha and Babul

The album is a melange of eight tracks representing diverse moods. Lyricist Shaymal Sengupta who had assisted RD Burman has penned down the lyrics of the songs. The songs range from classical to semi classical like Hoyto aebhabei, Jete parini to kaache while Shey je amar kaalo is a folk song fused with contemporary music. There is a haat or market song Haat bosheche shukrobare and a devotional song O Ganga Ma. Churir chunn chunn is soothing track with a retro touch while Baje guruguru is a peppy number.

Lastly, there is a nostalgic song Din gulo bhola galo na, the video of which was shown to the audience reminiscing the presence of Pancham in Ashas’ life. “I was stunned when she told me she wanted to do Bengali songs. It’s a dream come true for me,” said composer Babul.
On audience request, Asha sang two lines of the famous song Jabo ki jabo na that received a generous round of applause.

Present at the launch were veteran singers Babul Supriyo, Usha Uthup, and Raghab Chatterjee. Usha Utthup pointed out, “Ashaji is an icon and evolving year after year. The jodi of Pancham Da and Asha Di is evergreen.”

“The album’s name is Mone Rekho but there’s no need to remember someone who is unforgettable. We Bengalis should be honoured to receive such a puja gift,” said Babul Supriyo.

From Sarat Chandra to the beauty of Sundarban Asha has a great fondness for Kolkata. She also seemed to have a weakness for Parshe Macher Jhol, Islish Maach Bhaja, Notun Gurrer Shondesh.

“I think Kolkatans are cultured and intellectuals like the Maharastrians,” reflected Asha.
About today’s music and films, she opined, “The simplicity and innocence is absent in today’s films. I don’t see any logic behind names like Kaminey.”

“I feel sad that people download music from Internet. So how will the new singers and audio companies survive? Therefore, I request people to stop piracy,” insisted Asha.

Voted as number 37 on the World Music List, the diva plans to do a Rabindra Sangeet album soon. Asha, who will complete 75 years on September 8, however, remained mum about working with sibling Lata Mangeshkar.

Photos: Goutam Karmakar

http://www.kolkatamirror.com/index.aspx?pa...60467961§xslt=

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Mu...le1-742784.aspx


(videos on HT site)


Former son-in-law on Asha Bhosle
Parmita Uniyal, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, September 07, 2011 Email to Author



Young at heart: Asha BhosleFor Asha Bhosle, the 78-year-old singing genius, age is just a number. From teaming up with international artists like Brett Lee to giving acting a shot with Marathi film Maai, the veteran singer continues to inspire all generations. Every year, she adds to her unending body of songs with her melodious voice. On her 78th birthday, Asha's former son-in-law Hemant Kenkre unravels the Asha he knew, during the time he spent with her. Hemant claims he still shares a wonderful personal equation with Asha and there is absolutely no bitterness or negativity. He was married to Asha's daughter Varsha Bhosle.

Secret of the magic in her voice
Apart from the voice, Asha Bhosle believes in putting soul to a song. For that she could go to any lengths. While doing Umrao Jaan, she read the novel first to understand what the character was all about. She was not much into ghazals before, but her research about the character for which she was singing was tremendous. I personally believe it was a huge challenge for her to do a song like that. Even today when you listen to Dil Cheez Kya Hai, you can feel there is a soul in the song.




Ready to go that extra mile
Her commitment to the work was unbelievable. It did not change with the names associated with her projects. For example, once she was returning from a studio after recording with a not-so-great musician. I was accompanying her, as it was a holiday. She suddenly said, "Maybe I should go back to the studio and give it another take. I think I can make it better," and then she drove right back to the studio.

Asha, the live wire
Seeing her perform is an experience in itself. If you see her live shows, she not only sings with a feel but her body language displays an array of emotions like sorrow, love, happiness perfectly.



Birthday plans
She is totally a family person. And she generally likes to celebrate her birthday with her family at home, except if she is abroad for work. I remember only one instance when a grand bash was organized for her birthday.

Living a simple life
She believes in leading a simple life. There is absolutely no extravagance. She is a family person. She is straightforward. She is also very honest and transparent person. She is such a very loving person. But if you challenge her, she can attack like a leopard. She is also very fond of children.

Age is just a number for Asha

She is 78, but still full of energy. Her enthusiasm has not waned with time. Imagine, at this age, she is ready to act in a film called Maai. Her dynamism inspires people. Her never-say-die spirit keeps her going.

A song that describes her the best
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - that's the kind of person she is. When she was young, she had such amazing stories to share. She is full of life. It's virtually like talking to an electric wire. She fought with the trials and tribulations of life easily. It is not easy to be doing all this alone.

Birthday Message from Hemant Kenkre
You are still the inspiration of people of my generation and of all generations. Happy birthday and have a great time.