This is my tribute to Asha Ji on her 80th Birthday this year (8 Sep). Asha carved out a niche for herself & is so versatile that given any song, any genre & you get 100 % value. The below 3 are my personal top favorites & Numero Uno.
1) Mera Kuch Samaan – Ijazat, 1987. A Masterpiece. A trophy. Easily one of the best song created & definitely the best song sung by anybody, anywhere ever in this World. This R D Burman creation is poetry by Gulzar which are unique verses like disjointed thoughts, non rhythmic, straight from the heart. The way Asha sung that unusual, random prose is simply first class & laudable. It’s Worldly & a timeless classic. One can forever be spellbound under its charm every time it plays. A song one can hear for a thousand times & will always find something new, refreshing, rejuvenating & hypnotic. Only Asha could have accomplished a “Mera kuch samaan”. This emotionally stirring song won her a National Award in 1988.
1) Yeh Kya jagah hai – Umrao Jaan, 1981. Oh my God. Oh my God. A soulful classic ghazal from a classic movie. I was young probably 15-16 when I saw this movie first, but what I liked the most was not the direction, neither Rekha’s performance or the popular songs, but this melancholic ghazal towards the end of the film. It’s beautifully sung with the right mix of emotions - pain, betrayal, longing & puts Asha in a league of her own & won her a national award for the entire album. The lyrics by Shahrayar are deeply pensive & class apart & the music by Khayyam is apt. One of the best Bollywood song ever. Awe-inspiring.
The USP of the above two songs was that the music was low intensity so the singer has to carry it on her shoulder & Asha came out shining & a winner.
1) Jaane do na – Saagar, 1985. 100% Asha. 100% fun. It’s a mind blowing duet which is sung beautifully & Asha brings out her part perfectly. The emotions, mood & the uh-ah sounds are effortless, playful & just splendid. This song is all the charisma I love Asha Bhosle for.
The below favorites are in random order.
Aaiye meharban – Howrah Bridge, 1958. This O P Nayyar creation is iconic & the best part is that Asha sings the same line in different manner every time.
Yeh Mera Dil pyar ka deewana – Don, 1978. This fast paced thrilling composition of Kalyanji Anandji won Asha her well deserved Filmfare Award.
Tanha tanha yahan pe – Rangeela, 1995. This sensuous song by A R Rehman is loved by one & all & won Asha a Filmfare Special Jury Award.
Radha Kaise naa Jale – Lagaan, 2001. Asha teams up with A R Rahman for this romantic duet. Has the right mix of emotions required for the song & won IIFA & Zee cine award too for Asha Bhosle.
Piya tu ab to aaja – Caravan, 1971. Ok, again a filmfare award winning song for Asha, this R D Burman Cabaret song is very fast paced with all the heavy breathing & provocative sounds in place. Loved by all & even younger generation of today.
Raat Akeli Hai – Jewel thief, 1967. A hummable seductive song, this S D Burman creation is again popular for the way Asha sung it.
In ankhon ki masti - Umrao Jaan, 1981. Ghazal by Asha is captivating & my favorite from this national award winning album. As in such song lyrics play an important part too, the poetic lyrics by Shahryar are profound & heart-warming. Full marks to Asha as she sings with melancholy as “undertone” which a courtesan feels due to lack of true love in life. An out & out classic.
C A T cat.. cat mane billi - Dilli ka thug, 1958. Light hearted, comic, entertaining song.
Pyaar karne wale pyaar karte hain – Shaan, 1980. A popular song by R D Burman towered over the film itself & remembered more as a symbolic song for Parveen Babi, it’s on screen actress.
Aao naa gale lagao naa – Mere jeevan sathi, 1972. Another regular song in seductive series of Asha – R D Burman – Helen. Loved by all even to this date.
O saathi re, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, 1978. This sad song by Kalyanji Anandji is memorable the way 100% justice is done by singer Asha to this genre. The song is another feather in her cap & proves her versatility across board.
Mera naam hai shabnam – kati patang, 1970. A unique R D Burman song which is a cabaret style song, but the lyrics are like monologue being sung as if one is talking. Hats off to Asha for pulling it off.
Chura Liya – Yaadon ki Baarat, 1973. Sweet & very popular romantic classic, loved over generations. This R D Burman song established Asha as an extraordinary yet smooth romantic genre singer.
Man kyon Behka, Utsav, 1984. A beautiful erotic melody sung by sister duo Lata & Asha. A song of love & lot of “cravings” for love, sung with nothing but perfection.
Oo Bhaware, Daud, 1997. An amazing & imposing romantic - pop duet. It’s a long song with more lyrics & the lyrics have long lines for each singer to sing. Long lines are difficult, but Asha excels yet again & equally supported by Yesudas. Highly melodious song with superb singing.
Are jaa re hat natkhat – Navrang, 1959. A classic song in which Asha sings her part well. Typical holi chedhkhani song. Enjoyable & memorable.
Dum maro dum, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1971. A hippie - pop song that turned many people an overnight star. A song larger than life, monstrous hit & a classic. Impeccably sung.
It was quite challenging to create this list from many b’ful songs sung by Asha but I will restrict myself to just 20 only. Thankyou people for reading my compilation.
Please rate, comment & add value.
Anshuman Maini
Ek So Solah Chaand Ki Raatein,
Ek Tumhaare Kaandhe Kaa Til,
Gili Mehandi Ki Khushaboo,
Joothh Moothh Ke Shikawe Kuchh
Jooth Moothh Ke Waade Bhi Sab Yaad Karaa Do
Sab Bhijawaa Do, Meraa Wo Saamaan Lautaa Do
