Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, whose voice defined generations of Indian music, died Sunday at 92 in Mumbai. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital with extreme exhaustion and a chest infection the previous day.
Born on 8 September 1933 in Sangli, she lent her voice to more than 12,000 songs and was a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and the Padma Vibhushan, among others.
In a 2006 Walk the Talk interview, Asha Bhosle discussed with Shekhar Gupta her journey, struggles, and relationship with her sister the late Lata Mangeshkar.
Here’s the complete transcript, edited for clarity:
Shekhar Gupta (SG): Asha ji, a very warm welcome. You made time for us. I know you are in great demand, so it is very difficult to find time.
Asha Bhosle (AB): It is nothing like that. If you truly want to do something, you always find the time. People say they do not have time, but if you decide from the heart, anything is possible. Even cooking can be done in an hour if you want to. Time can always be found.
SG: Everyone who knows you says you are always cheerful and that you keep others happy.
AB: If you can share happiness, there is nothing greater. If I keep speaking of sorrow, you will become sad too. There is no point in that. It is better to smile.
SG: Your songs have been favourites across generations. One in our family is Mera Mann Darpan Kahlaye. Do you remember it?
AB: Yes. Mera mann darpan kahlaye, bhale bure saare karmon ko dekhe aur dikhaye… That song has lasted across at least three generations, and it may continue for many more. Even today, people feel peace when they hear it.
SG: We are out on a boat, with Mumbai’s skyline visible. We started from the Gateway.
AB: This is the first time in my life that I am sitting on a boat like this and having a conversation. I have always been very afraid of water, since childhood. Even though we are from Goa.
SG: I have heard you cook excellent Goan fish.
AB: I cook everything—Goan, Kerala, Lucknowi. Cooking is my hobby. Just like singing, I sing all kinds of songs. Singing, cooking, listening, eating—they are all closely connected.
SG: Bombay used to be very beautiful.
AB: Very beautiful. There were not so many people then. Songs were also very different in those days.
SG: Then music gradually changed. Much of that change is credited to your sister.
AB: Yes, she changed the way songs were sung—the feeling, the expression. She and Rafi sahab changed everything. Earlier, songs and recording styles were very different.
SG: Among your early songs, which were your favourites?
AB: I cannot recall immediately. But there are many I have sung that I like. I do not particularly dislike my own songs.
SG: You also sang many duets with your sister.
AB: Yes, many. Our understanding was perfect. We did not need to look at each other. From a small gesture, I would know when she was about to come in, and I would match it exactly.
SG: Songs like Main Chali Main Chali…
AB: Yes, many songs. Later, in Utsav (1985), there was Man Kyun Behka. That was a very beautiful song. Chhap Tilak Sab Chheeni was the last one we sang together.
SG: Do you remember a line from Man Kyun Behka?
AB: Man kyun behka re behka aadhi raat ko, bela mehka re mehka aadhi raat ko.
SG: It was quite a naughty song.
AB: Yes.
SG: You have often been associated with such songs.
AB: I have sung such songs, yes. But whatever I have done in life, I have done with conviction. I made my own choices, including my marriage. Whatever the outcome, I bore it myself. I never blamed anyone. If you make decisions, you must have the strength to accept the consequences.
SG: No regrets?
AB: None at all.
SG: After making your own decisions all your life, did you ever feel you should have listened to others?
AB: No. One must take one’s own decisions.
SG: Do you tell your children the same?
AB: In every home, children think their parents are wrong. Only when they face the same situations do they realise their parents were right. This has always been the case. Those who are naïve get trapped easily. And the more they try to get out, the more they get stuck. But that too is part of life. After everything, God has given me everything back. At this age, not many people have as much as I do. God has been fair.
SG: There have always been stories of rivalry between you and Lata ji.
AB: There was no such thing. There was healthy competition. I wanted to sing better than her, but never by pulling her down. One should compete with those who are better.
SG: That made the music richer.
AB: Yes. Singing with great artistes like Rafi sahab pushed us to do better. That energy is missing today.
SG: You have many iconic duets with him.
AB: Yes, many favourites—Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein, Deewana Hua Baadal.
SG: Could you sing a line?
AB: Ishaaron ishaaron mein dil lene wale, bata ye hunar tune seekha kahan se.
Deewana hua baadal, saawan ki ghata chhayi…
SG: When R.D. Burman came, it changed everything.
AB: Yes, it was a revolution. Songs like Aaja Aaja, O Haseena Zulfon Wali, Piya Tu, Dum Maro Dum—that was just the beginning.
SG: His work even got international recognition.
AB: Yes, some of his compositions were recorded abroad, and I was invited to record them. There was even a Grammy nomination, but I did not go.
SG: What do you think of remixes?
AB: I do not mind them. But singers must understand the effort behind the original songs. Today, the focus is more on dance than on the song.
SG: You were often labelled as the voice of cabaret songs.
AB: That label came early. But when I entered the industry, I had young children and a difficult personal life. I needed to earn. I sang whatever came my way. I was both mother and father to my children.
SG: There is a story about Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.
AB: I had rehearsed it, but later my sister sang it. I stepped back due to ill health. There was no conflict.
SG: And the film Saaz?
AB: People create stories. Just because two sisters sing, it does not mean every story is about us.
SG: Do you hum that song sometimes?
AB: No. If I hum anything, it is usually ghazals—like those by Ghulam Ali.
SG: You have sung many ghazals yourself.
AB: Aaj jaane ki zid na karo… yoon hi pehlu mein baithe raho…
SG: Tell us about O.P. Nayyar.
AB: There is nothing unusual. I was a singer, and he gave me songs. That is all.
SG: You have seen difficult phases in life.
AB: Very difficult. Like this boat rocking, my life has also rocked a lot. But I had to raise my children. I worked hard and endured criticism. Today, all that is behind me.
SG: After R.D. Burman’s passing, was it a tough time?
AB: Very tough—emotionally and professionally. People thought I was finished. But then Rangeela happened.
SG: Rangeela Re?
AB: Yes. Ya re ya re… milke dhoom machao re… That became a big hit, and people realised I could still sing.
SG: And Tanha Tanha.
AB: Yes, that too. After that, many songs followed.
SG: These phases must have shaped your journey.
AB: Yes. They were difficult, but they are in the past. The future is what matters.
SG: Before we end, a tribute to Pancham?
AB: Jaane kya baat hai, neend nahi aati, badi lambi raat hai…
Also Read: A melody fades into eternity as Asha Bhosle, India’s evergreen voice, dies at 92