Glance At Career

Reputed to have sung over 20,000 songs in more than 14 languages, Bhonsle’s lively style knows no limits — it matched the fun dances to the numbers picturized on Helen in the film Chinatown, and Aiye meherbaan picturized on Madhubala in the film Howrah Bridge
At 60-plus she still dares to challenge the youngsters on the scene, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurty, Sadhana Sargam in evocative songs ‘Yai Re, Yai Re…‘ & ‘Tanha Tanha…‘ both from Rangeela or ‘Rang De…‘ from Takshak. She teams with Adnam Sami & ‘Ghulam Ali’ with the equal ease for private albums of Songs or ghazal.
Having started her career in elder sister’s shadow, she has outgrown every contemporary singer. Despite having sung varied styles and types of music, her forte is the bubbly and naughty songs. With the main songs of film going to Lata, Asha successfully managed to stamp her songs with her inimitable style.
1957 was her breakthrough year when OP Nayyar used her to sing the heroine's songs in Tumsa Nahin Dekha and Naya Daur. The same year SD Burman had his rift with Lata. And though Geeta Dutt could have been his next choice after Lata since she was already a mature singer and familiar to Burman Dada while Asha was still raw, Geeta's troubled marriage did not make her easily available for rehearsals. Consequently SD Burman chose to groom Asha along with OP Nayyar rather than wait for Geeta. The same year also saw her songs in films like Nau Do Gyarah and Paying Guest become extremely popular. The following year Asha made it right to the top with hit songs in films like Howrah Bridge (1958), Chalti ka Naam Ghadi (1958) and Lajwanti (1958). She also got involved with OP Nayyar and thereafter she remained his premier singer till their break-up in the 1970s.

O.P.Nayyar & R.D.Burman exploited her singing talent & experimented with her vocal cords to such an extent that it is difficult to imagine their music without her or Asha without them. Teesri Manzil, Ijazat, Khushboo with R.D.Burman, Mere Sanam, Kashmir Ki Kali, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, ‘Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye’ & many others with O.P.Nayyar have added unforgettable rare gems to film music.