MUMBAI: Asha Bhosle, who sashayed through the 1950s and ’60s with her peppy, toe-tapping numbers and became the voice of the youth in the sizzling 1970s with her psychedelic numbers such as ‘Chura liya hai tumne joh dil ko’ and ‘Dum Maro Dum’, was chosen for Maharashtra Bhushan, the state government’s highest award to recognise contribution to public life.
A formal announcement was made on Thursday. Instituted in 1996, the award carries a cash prize and a citation. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray conveyed the news to the legendary playback singer over the phone, it is learnt.
Bhosle, who is camping at her Lonavala bungalow to avoid Covid-19, thanked, in a tweet, the state government and people of Maharashtra for the highest honour.
Rachana Shah, writer and daughter of Bhosle’s elder sister Meena Khadikar, shared a beautiful anecdote about her illustrious aunt. “Way back in the 1990s I joined Ushamavshi’s (noted singer and Lata-Asha’s sister Usha Mangeshkar) Mauritius concert. I was to sing Ashamavshi’s ‘Dum Maro Dum’. Before we left Mumbai for Mauritius, I went to Ashamavshi to gather a few tips on the iconic R D Burman number.”
Bhosle told Shah, “This is a powerful number big orchestra and a paraphernalia of instruments. See that your voice doesn’t melt in the ocean of sound. Keep pace with the instruments.” Her parting shot was: “Aatoon gaa (Sing from within your heart).”
Bhosle’s ouvre is formidable, say experts. Under the baton of greats such as O P Nayyar, S D Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, R D Burman and her brother Pandit Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Bhosle’s meluflous voice has woven a tapestry of moods: Bhajan, qawwali, mujra-cabaret songs, peppy duets, soulful ditties, and Marathi natya geet and bhaav geet.