Fondly referred to as Ashaji, Asha Bhosle is one of the distinguished voices and icon of the Indian music fraternity. The vivacious songstress has 13,000 songs cutting across various genres amassed in her musical repertoire. Renowned for her voice range and often credited for her astounding versatility, Bhosle’s musical work includes film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian Classical music, folk and qawalis.
Born on 8 September 1933, Bhosle is part of the famed Mangeshkar family and counts singer Lata Mangeshkar and composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar among her siblings. Bhosle, 82, has been a celebrated part of the Bollywood music scene for seven decades. She has sung songs for over 1,000 Bollywood film scores.
Her singing hits include Chura Liya Hai tumne Jo Dil Ko, Lekar Hum Diwana Dil, Tanha Tanha, Dil Cheez Kya hai, Dum Maro Dum, O Mera Sona Re amongst thousands others. Besides transgressing the musical terrains as a skilled singer, Bhosle also acted in the Hindi feature film “Mai” at the age of 79.
During her illustrious career, Ashaji has collaborated with artists across the world from Boy George, to Michael Stipe, to Australian cricketer, Brett Lee. The track, ‘You’re the One For Me’, is an original love song penned by the fast bowler himself. Bhosle recalls the experience as one of her career highlights.
The World Records Academy – an international organization which certifies world records recognized Asha Bhosle as the “Most Recorded Artist” in the world in September 2009. Bhosle’s sparkle and depth has earned her several prestigious awards and titles, besides a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Recorded Artist. Asha Bhosle is lauded by CNN as one of the 20 most iconic artists of all time
Asha Bhosle, the empress of melody, has announced that she will be performing her Farewell Tour in a series of live concerts around the world for the last time this year. Bhosle made the announcement at the cover launch of Society Magazine’s May 2016 edition, which features her on the cover. The 82 year old singer, who has had a 72 year long career spanning more than 13000 recorded songs, was present at the Magna Lounge in Mumbai recently to make the announcement.
The singer spoke about her mark on the magazine cover for which she tweeted few days back. She said, “I have been on the cover of the Society Magazine in 1983 with Sunil Gavaskar, Prakash Padukone, Penaz Masani and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, but for the first time I am appearing solo on the magazine cover.”
India’s iconic playback singer will be on the last leg of her Farewell Tour. Epic Entertainment’s Rakesh Maharaj said “We are privileged and honoured to be staging Ashaji’s last tour of her illustrious career in South Africa. It is indeed a historic occasion for all music lovers and fans to be part of the legend’s last live concert. The world’s most celebrated singer according to the BBC and the most recorded artist in music history with songs ranging from Bollywood to classical ragas is set to enthrall her South African audience.”
Ashaji’s contribution to Hindi cinema is exceptional and her South African fans can pay a fitting tribute to her, for her lifetime contribution to Indian music. This is Ashaji’s first visit to South Africa, and we will experience her final live showcases. Fans can expect a remarkable evening filled with myriad flavours of music through her long and illustrious career.
Her South African visit is part of her international farewell tour and the versatile singer has been billed to perform at Durban ICC Arena on the 01st October 2016 and Gallagher Convention Centre on the 02nd October 2016 for her first and last live performances in South Africa where audiences will witness her swan song. Asha Bhosle’s Tour will feature the tremendously talented Javed Ali and a twelve piece band led by Nitin Shankar.
Tickets are now available. Book early to be part of this epic tribute to the Last Empress of Indian music.
