Page 3 - Seniorstoday September-2023 Issue

Publisher’s Note

Incredible Asha

It is natural that there would be a comparison 3. Holay Holay Sajana Dhire Dhire Balama, Sawan
between the sisters Asha Bhosle and Lata ki Ghata (1966)
Mangeshkar. Their rivalry was never a secret. 4. O mere sona re sona re, Teesri Manzil (1966)
However, both were restrained and did not let it 5. Chain se humko kabhie, Pran Jaye per Vachan
come into the public domain. But it seemed to an Na Jaye (1974)
outsider that the entire Mangeshkar family was 6. In aakhon ki masti ke, Umrao Jaan (1981)
with Lata and Asha was on her own. 7. Ye hai reshmi zulfon, Mere Sanam (1965)
Lata had no children and obviously her wealth 8. Jhumka gira re, Mera Saaya (1966)
would go to other members of the family. 9. Raat akeli hai, Jewel Thief (1967)
Seniors Today has already written about her and 10. Aao huzoor tumko sitaron mein le chaloon,
interviewed Lata and it is indeed an honour that Kismat (1968)
Asha has spoken to us. Asha has rendered over 10,000 songs and has
If Lata was a ‘Bhajan Singer’ and portrayed won several awards and despite an overwhelming
herself as a very holy and pious woman what presence of sister Lata, she stood her own ground.
with “Payoji maine ram ratan dhan payo” and If Lata was the nightingale Asha is the singing
“Ghansham Sundara Vasundhara”, Asha was mynah.
twice married and sang cabaret numbers. There is
a certain sensuous quality to her voice that lends
itself beautifully to cabaret. “Piya tu ab toh aaja”
and Chura liya hai tumne jo dilko”.
I have complied a list of 10 of my favourite Asha
numbers, in no particular order. Here they are:
1. Aayiye meherbaan baithiye, Howrah Bridge (1958) Vickram Sethi
2. Jayiye aap kaha jayenge, Mere Sanam (1965) Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #51 | SEPTEMBER 2023 3