Asha Bhosle: A Look At The Career Of The Star For All Generations

Asha Bhosle turned 90 today. The singing legend began singing at the age of 10. Here is a look at her 80-year-long prolific career

Asha Bhosle turned 90 today.

Asha Bhsole sang her first song 'Chala Chala Nav Bala' for the Marathi film Majha Bal (1943). She made her Hindi film debut when she sang the song 'Saawan Aaya' for Hansraj Behl's Chunariya (1948).

At the age of 16, Shas Bhosle eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, marrying him against her family's wishes.

In the 60s, prominent playback singers such as Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar dominated singing for the female lead and big films. It took quite some time for Asha Bhosle to establish herself

Asha Bhosle majorly got assignments refused by the three singing stars and sang for bag girls and vamps, low-budget films. In the 50s, she sang more songs that most playback singers in Hindi films which were mostly B- or C-grade films.

Asha Bhsole's performances in the duest from one of music director RD Burman's first soundtracks, for the movie 'Teesri Manzil', won a lot of acclaim. Asha Bhosle then went on to work with many acclaimed music composers and iconic films.

By the 1980s, Bhosle, although highly regarded for her abilities and versatility, had sometimes been stereotyped as a "cabaret singer" and a "pop crooner". So in 1981, she attempted a different genre by singing several ghazals for the Rekha-starrer Umrao Jaan, including "Dil Cheez Kya Hai", "In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke", "Yeh Kya Jagah Hai Doston" and "Justuju Jiski Thi".

However, it was OP Nayyar whose collaboration with Asha Bhosle gave her own identity. Many people have speculated that there was a romantic relationship between the two.

Asha Bhosle has sung in several langugaes and has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema besides several other accolades and honour.( All Pics Credit: IMDb)