Asha Bhosle admits she adopted a more Western singing style to avoid competing with Lata Mangeshkar: ‘Our voices were very similar initially'

Indian Express

a day ago

Asha Bhosle, 92, is still going strong. The singer is still touring the world as well as recording new songs. She also holds the Guinness record for the most number of songs recorded at over 13,000. That's also because Asha has adapted with the times ever since she began singing in the 1940s. She admits that her determination to expand her versatility is what has enabled her to record so many songs over the past 80 years.
'In our childhood, us sisters had the same thin voice,' said Asha Bhosle, referring to her sister and late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who was four years elder to her. 'After singing a couple of songs, I realized I'd have to change my singing style because Didi is already there, and her singing is so good. I didn't want to be pitted against her,' added the song.
'I had the habit of watching English films and listening to English songs. They sing very operatically. But there's no quivering in our voices when we sing here in India. Indian songs are sung straight. I wanted to be able to sing all kinds of songs. So I brought the Western singing style to India. I trained myself accordingly then,' shared Asha.
Asha Bhosle ability to incorporate the Western singing style allowed her to extend her appeal to the next generation of the audience. 'Young boys used to really like my songs. When they get old, they prefer the classical style of singing. So, I've been moving along with the upcoming generations. Like how I sing and groove to 'Kaala Chashma' today. Now, the new generation's style is changing again.'
The veteran singer referred to the recent viral video in which she grooved to 'Kaala Chashma' while wearing dark sunglasses on stage at a concert in Mumbai. The popular dance song is composed by Prem Hardeep and Kam Dhillon, and written by Amrik Singh and Kumaar. A rehashed version of the same was filmed on Katrina Kaif and Sidharth Malhotra in Nitya Mehra's 2016 sci-fi romance Baar Baar Dekho.
Asha Bhosle was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001. She won her first two Filmfare Awards for 'Garibon Ki Suno' from Dus Lakh (1967) and 'Pardes Mein Rehne Do' from Shikar (1969), even as she competed in the same category with her sister, Lata Mangeshkar.
Lata Mangeshkar refused to accept awards after 1968 since she wanted upcoming singers to be acknowledged instead. Asha Bhosle also followed in her sister's footsteps and refused to accept any more awards post 1978. Even then, she's won the maximum number of Filmfare Awards in the Best Female Playback Singer category, along with Alka Yagnik.
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'I'd stopped accepting awards because only Didi and I used to get all the awards every time. But the other girls who used to sing then, they should also get the award, right? So I thought it'd be a good thing to stop accepting awards,' explained Asha. She was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Filmfare in 2001.