Name	Parvarish
Director	Manmohan Desai
Producer	A.A. Nadiadwala
Writer	Kader Khan (dialogue)Prayag Raj (screenplay)K.K. Shukla
Starring	Shammi KapoorAmitabh BachchanVinod KhannaNeetu SinghShabana AzmiKader KhanAmjad KhanTom Alter
Music	Laxmikant-PyarelalMajrooh Sultanpuri (lyrics)
Cinematography	Sudhin Majumdar
Editing	Kamlakar Karkhanis
Studio	A.G. Films Pvt.Ltd
Distributor	B4U Entertainment
Released	1977
Country
Language	Hindi
Gross	Rs. 6,50,00,000 . The film also marked Shammi Kapoor's full entry into character roles (after his own production Manoranjan), which he would lead in for nearly the next two decades.
- bgcolor	"#CCCCCC" align="center"
Name	Manmohan Desai
Title	Films directed by Manmohan Desai
Group1	1950s
List1	Janam Janam Ke Phere (1957)
Group2	1960s
List2	Chhalia (1960) Bluff Master (1963) Budtameez (1966) Kismat (1968)
Group3	1970s
List3	Sachaa Jhutha (1970) Shararat (1972) Bhai Ho To Aisa (1972) Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972) Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1972)) Roti (1974) Dharam Veer (1977) Chacha Bhatija (1977) Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)) Parvarish (1977) Suhaag (1979)
Group4	1980s
List4	Naseeb (1981) Desh Premee (1982) Coolie (1983) Mard (1985) Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi (1988)

Category:1977 films Category:1970s drama films Category:Indian films Category:Indian drama films Category:Hindi-language films

Name	Raj Kapoor
Birthname	Ranbir Raj Kapoor
Birth date	December 14, 1924
Birth place	Peshawar, Pakistan
Death date	June 02, 1988
Death place	New Delhi, India
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Director
Yearsactive	1935-1985
Othername	The Show Man

Ranbirraj "Raj" Kapoor (, Punjabi: ਰਾਜ ਕਪੂਰ, }} Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 - 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954) were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 for his contributions towards Indian cinema.

Early life and Background

, Pakistan]]

Raj Kapoor was born in Peshawar, British India (present day Pakistan), to actor Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni (Rama) Devi Kapoor (née Mehra). He was the eldest of six children in a Punjabi family. He was the grandson of Dewan Basheshwarnath Kapoor and great-grandson of Dewan Keshavmal Kapoor, part of the famous Kapoor family. Two of Raj's brothers are actors Shashi Kapoor (aka Balbir Raj Kapoor) and Shammi Kapoor (aka Shamsher Raj Kapoor); the other two died in infancy. He also had a sister named Urmila Sial.

Raj Kapoor attended Colonel Brown Cambridge School, Dehradun in the 1930s.

Career

At age eleven, he appeared in films for the first time, in the 1935 film Inquilab. After acting in several other films the next 12 years, Raj Kapoor's big break came with the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala in her first role as a leading lady. In 1948, at the age of twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his time. His first movie as a producer, director and star was the 1948 film Aag which was also the first of his many films with actress Nargis. However the film failed to do well at the box office. In 1949 he once again starred alongside Nargis and Dilip Kumar in Mehboob Khan's classic blockbuster Andaz which was his first major success as an actor.

He went on to produce, direct and star in many box office hits such as Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960). These films established his screen image as The Tramp modeled on Charlie Chaplin's most famous screen persona. In 1964 he produced, directed and starred in Sangam which was his first film in colour. This was his last major success as a leading actor. He moved to directing and starring in his ambitious 1960s film, Mera Naam Joker (My name is Joker), which took more than six years to complete. When released in 1970, it was a box office disaster putting him in a financial crisis. Despite this setback, Raj regarded this film as his favorite.

He bounced back in 1971 when he co-starred with his eldest son Randhir Kapoor in Randhir's acting and directorial debut Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) which also starred Raj's father Prithviraj Kapoor as well as Randhir's wife to be Babita. From then on he acted in films as a character actor and focused on producing and directing films. He launched his second son Rishi Kapoor's career when he produced and directed Bobby (1973) which was not only a huge box office success but also introduced actress Dimple Kapadia, later a very popular actress, and was the first of a new generation of teen romances. Dimple wore bikinis in the film which was quite unique for Indian films then.

In the latter half of the 1970s and early 1980s he produced and directed films which focused on the female protagonists: Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978) with Zeenat Aman, Prem Rog (1982) with Padmini Kolhapure and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) which introduced Mandakini.

Raj Kapoor's last major film appearance was in Vakil Babu (1982). His last acting role was a cameo appearance in a 1984 released British made-for-television film titled Kim.

Death

, Pakistan]]

Raj Kapoor suffered from asthma in his later years; he died of complications related to asthma in 1988 at the age of 63. At the time of his death, he was working on the movie Henna (an Indo -Pakistan based love story). The film was later completed by his son, Randhir Kapoor and released in 1991 which became a huge success at the Box Office. When he was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award; where his brothers, Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor were also present; the crowd was clapping around when President Venkataraman, who saw Kapoor's discomfort, came down the stage to give the award to the legend in the middle of thundering claps where he was breathing his last breath. And suddenly Kapoor collapsed, and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. The country's top cardiologists tried their best, but could not save him.

Legacy

Raj Kapoor is appreciated both by film critics and ordinary film fans. Film historians and movie buffs speak of him as the "Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema," since he often portrayed a tramp-like figure, who, despite adversity, was still cheerful and honest. His fame spread worldwide. He was adored by audiences in large parts of Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, China, and Southeast Asia; his movies were global commercial successes. Raj had the knack of getting the best out of any one, since he had mastered all departments of film making and even marketing them. When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru died in 1964 coinciding with release of Sangam, he took the opportunity to create a scene when Gopal ashes were immersed in Ganges , like Pandit Nehru described in his poetic will. His films reflected the Era in which it was made.

He had a great understanding of the public taste and a great sense of Box-Office.He was one of the pioneers of the Indian cinema, who talked about the potential of Hindi cinema emerging as a great revenue earner from the world market in fifties, which has become a reality today.

Many of Raj Kapoor's movies had a patriotic theme. His films Aag, Shree 420 and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (In the Country Where the Ganges Flows) celebrated the newly independent India, and encouraged film-goers to be patriots. Raj Kapoor commissioned these famous lyrics for "Mera Joota Hai Japani" , a song from the movie Shree 420:

:Mera joota hai Japani :Ye pataloon Inglistani :Sar pe lal topi Roosi :Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani'''

:My shoes are Japanese :These trousers are English :The red cap on my head is Russian :But still, however, my heart is Indian'''

The song is still extremely popular and has been featured in a number of movies since Shree 420 was released. Indian author Mahasweta Devi stopped the show with her inaugural speech at the 2006 Frankfurt Book Fair when she used these lyrics to express her own heartfelt patriotism and debt to her country.

Raj Kapoor was a canny judge of filmi music and lyrics. Many of the songs he commissioned are evergreen hits. He introduced the music directors Shankar Jaikishan and the lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. He is also remembered for his strong sense of visual style. He used striking visual compositions, elaborate sets, and dramatic lighting to complete the mood set by the music. He introduced the actors Nimmi, Dimple Kapadia, Nargis and Mandakini, as well as launching and reviving the careers of his sons Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv.

Personal life

The Kapoor family hailed from Lyallpur, British India, which is now called Faisalabad in the Punjab province of present-day Pakistan.

Kapoor is also known to have had a longtime romantic relationship with the renowned actress Nargis during the 1950s. The couple starred in several films together, including Awaara and Shree 420. He is also alleged to have had an affair with Vyjayanthimala, his co-star in Sangam.

Three of Kapoor's grandchildren are currently stars in the Bollywood film industry. His granddaughters are Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor, the daughters of Raj's son Randhir Kapoor and his wife Babita. His grandson Ranbir Kapoor, who is the son of Rishi Kapoor and his wife Neetu Singh.

Awards

Kapoor had received many awards throughout his career, including 9 Filmfare Awards and 19 nominations. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1971 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1987 - the highest award for cinematic excellence in India. In 2001, he was honoured with “Best Director of the Millennium” by Stardust Awards. He was named “Showman of the Millennium” by Star Screen Awards in 2002.

Association with other artists

Shankar Jaikishan

Shankar-Jaikishan were his music director of choice. He worked with them in 20 films in all including 10 of his own films from Barsaat until Kal Aaj Aur Kal. (Jagte Raho with Salil Chowdhury and Ab Dilli Dur Nahin being two exceptions in this period). Only after Jaikishan died, did he turn to a different music director - Laxmikant Pyarelal for Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Preg Rog (later on his children used Laxmikant -Pyarelal for Prem Granth also) and Ravindra Jain for (Ram Teri Ganga Maili and Henna). It is interesting to note that Raj Kapoor never acted in a movie with music by Madan Mohan, and did only one movie with O. P. Nayyar (Do Ustad).

List of films with Shankar Jaikishan: (18 Films)

Barsaat (1949)

Aah (1953)

Awaara (1951)

Boot Polish (1954)

Shree 420 (1955)

Chori Chori (1956)

Anari (1959)

Kanhaiya (1959)

Main Nashe Men Hoon (1959)

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

Aashiq (1962)

Ek Dil Sao Afsane (1963)

Sangam (1964)

Teesri Kasam (1966)

Around the World (1967)

Diwana (1967)

Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968)

Mera Naam Joker (1970)

Nargis

Raj Kapoor and Nargis worked together in 16 films including 6 of his own productions.

Aag (1948)

Andaz (1949)

Barsaat (1949)

Pyaar (1950)

Jan Pahchan (1950)

Awaara (1951)

Amber (1952)

Anhonee (1952)

Ashiana (1952)

Bewafa (1952)

Aah (1953)

Paapi (1953)

Dhoon (1953)

Shree 420 (1955)

Chori Chori (1956)

Jagte Raho (1956)

Mukesh

Mukesh was Raj Kapoor's almost exclusive singing voice in almost all of his films. Also, when Mukesh died, Raj had said, "Maine apni aawaaz ko kho diya..." ("I have lost my voice..."). However Manna Dey has also sung many notable and super-hit songs for Raj Kapoor, for instance in Shree 420 and Chori Chori. Examples of such songs are best illustrated by following songs:

Dil Ka Haal Sune Dil Wala (Shree 420)

Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum (Chori Chori)

Jahan Mein Jati Hoon Wahin Chale Aate Ho (Chori Chori)

Yeh raat bhigi bhigi, yeh mast fizayen (chori chori)

Masti Bhara Hai Samaan (Parvarish)

A bhai zara dekh ke chalo (Mera Naam Joker)

Pyar hua ikrar hua hai (Shree 420)

Laga Chunri mein Daag (Dil Hi to Hai)

Filmography

Further reading

The Kapoors: the first family of Indian cinema, by Madhu Jain. Penguin, Viking, 2005. ISBN 0670058378.

References

Sources

Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul. Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. London: British Film Institute; New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1994

Kishore, Valicha. The Moving Image. Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1988

External links

Category:1924 births Category:Indian Hindus Category:1988 deaths Category:Indian film actors Category:Indian film directors Category:Hindi film directors Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients Category:Hindi film actors Category:Indian actors Category:Indian film producers Category:Hindkowan people Category:Punjabi people

Name	Sudha Malhotra
Background	solo_singer
Born	November 30, 1936New Delhi
Genre	Playback
Occupation	Singer, Actor
Years active	1954–1982

Sudha Malhotra (born 30 November 1936)is an Indian playback singer. She also acted in some Bollywood films and as a play singer worked in popular Bollywood movies in the 1950s and 60s, like Arzoo, Dhool Ka Phool, Ab Dilli Door Nahin, Girl Friend, Barsat Ki Raat, Didi, Kala Pani, Prem Rog, Dekh Kabira Roya. She was last heard in Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog (1982) in the song Yeh Pyar tha ya kuch aur tha.

Early life and education

Sudha Malhotra was born in New Delhi and grew up in in Lahore, Bhopal and Firozpur. She did her graduation in music from Agra University.

Career

Sudha Malhotra was discovered as a child artiste by Ghulam Haider (a prominent music director of the 1940s). She debuted in the movie Arzoo.

Filmography

Arzoo

Ab Dilli Door Nahin

Girl Friend

Dekh Kabira Roya (1957)

Dhool Ka Phool (1959)

Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)

Gauhar

Dil-e-Naadan

Babar

Didi

Kala Pani

Prem Rog (1982)

References

Sudha Malhotra Discography

External links

Category:Indian playback singers Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:1936 births Category:Living people Category:People from Delhi Category:Hindi film actors Category:Indian child actors

Name	Mala Sinha
Caption	Mala Sinha in Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966)
Birthname	Alda Sinha
Birthdate	November 11, 1936
Birth place	Kashmir, India
Yearsactive	1952 - 1994
Occupation	Actress
Spouse	C. P. Lohani

Mala Sinha () (born 11 November 1936) is an Indian actress of Nepalese ethnicity. She became one of the most popular female stars in Bollywood films from the fifties to the early seventies, starring in numerous blockbusters and hits like Pyaasa (1957), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Anpadh (1962), Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965), Aankhen (1968) and Maryada (1971) .

Early life

Sinha was born to Albert Sinha, in a Nepalese Christian family. They named her Alda. Her friends at school used to tease her calling Dalda (a branded vegetable oil of India), so she changed her name to Mala.

Career

Sinha started her film career as child artist in Bengali Films Jai Vaishno Devi followed by Shri Krishan Leela, Jog Biyog & Dhooli. Noted Bengali film director Ardhendu Bose saw her acting in a school play and took permission from her father to cast her as a heroine in his film Roshanara (1952), her cinematic debut.

After acting in a couple of films in Calcutta, Mala had to go to Bombay to shoot for a Bengali film. There she met Geeta Dutt, a noted Bollywood playback singer, who was charmed by her and introduced her to film director Kidar Sharma. It was Sharma who cast her as a heroine in his film Rangeen Ratein. However, her first Hindi film was Badshah opposite Pradeep Kumar, than came Ekadashia mythological film both films failed, but her lead role in Kishore Sahu's Hamlet fetched her rave reviews in spite of the film failing at the boxoffice.

Mala was also a singer of some repute and used to sing for All India Radio, albeit she was never allowed to sing playback (even for herself) in the movies. In 1957, noted Bollywood actor and film director Guru Dutt (the husband of Geeta Dutt) cast Mala in his film Pyaasa in a role originally intended for Madhubala. Mala gave a memorable performance as the woman who chooses to marry a rich man (played by character artiste Rehman) rather than a poor unsuccessful poet (played by Guru Dutt himself). The film remains to this day a classic in the history of Indian cinema and a turning point for Sinha.

After Pyaasa her major success was Yash Chopra's directorail debut Dhool Ka Phool(1959) that elevated her into a major dramatic star, there was no looking back for Sinha than as she gave hits after hits in movies like 'Parvarish', 'Phir Subah Hogi', 'Main Nahse Main Hoon', 'Love Marriage', 'Bahurani', 'Anpadh', 'Aasra', 'Dil Tera Deewana', Gumrah (many critics believe her career best performance), 'Aankhen', 'Hariyali Aur Rasta', 'Himalaya Ki God Mein' and many more. What was most remarkable about Mala Sinha was that most of her 1960s hits were fuelled by her own star power as much as the heroes'. She did not mind working with newcomers as long as her role was worth. When she acted opposite big stars, she made sure her role was as good as theirs. She worked with many newcomers of her era including Dharmendra, Sunil Dutt, Sanjay Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. In most of her films she got the first billing in the credits, even before the heroes.

In 1966, Sinha went to Nepal to act in a Nepali film called "Maitighar" when the Nepali film industry was still in its infancy. Her hero in the film was an estate owner called C. P. Lohani. Soon after, Mala Sinha married C. P. Lohani with the blessings of her parents. From the beginning theirs was a long-distance marriage with Lohani based in Kathmandu to look after his business and she living in Bombay with their daughter Pratibha. Mala continued acting in films after her marriage.

Of her rich and varied repertoire of films, she mentions she is rather partial to Jahan Ara(1964), a historical that Meena Kumari passed on to her as she says,"Meenaji turned down the role saying that she would not look the part whereas I would. Given my ignorance of Urdu, I was rather skeptical but Meenaji was convinced that I could do justice to the role. Playing Mumtaz Mahal's eldest daughter entailed grueling Urdu classes and learning royal tehzeeb. It was hot on the grand sets erected at Ranjit Studio and the film had Madan Mohan's haunting music. It was a film replete with lyrical moments". Though Mala evinced as much interest in her daughter Pratibha's career as her father did in her career, she was unable to achieve the same success for her daughter.

Personal life

Sinha currently lives in Bombay with her now-retired husband and daughter Pratibha Sinha, a Bollywood actress

Awards and nominations

Won, BFJA Award for Best Actress(1965) - ''Jahan Ara

Won, BFJA Award for Best Actress(1966) - ''Himalaya Ki God Mein

Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)

Sinha received several Filmfare nominations for Best Actress for her women oriented roles in Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Bahu Rani (1963), Jahan Ara (1964), Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965). While she was not nominated for her other acclaimed roles like Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962), Anpadh (1962), Gumrah (1963), and Aankhen (1967) amongst others. She also won accolades for her role as greyhaired wife of Sanjeev Kapoor in Zindagi (1976). In spite of getting much critical acclaim and mass recognition for her work, Sinha has never won a Filmfare for any of her roles. She was honoured with the Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

She was also felicitated by Government of Sikkim and Government of Nepal in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Filmography

Hindi films

Zid(1994) (Jai Mehta)

Radha Ka Sangam(1992) (Govinda)

Khel(1992) (Anil Kapoor)

Dil Tujhko Diya(1987) (Kumar Gaurav)

Baboo(1985) Navin Nishchal

Yeh Rishta Na Toote(1985)Rajendra Kumar

Aasman(1984) Rajeev Kapoor

Beraham(1982) Sanjeev Kumar

Harjai(1981) Shammi Kapoor

Dhan Daulat(1980)Rajendra Kumar

Karamyogi(1977)Raj Kumar

Prayeschit(1977) Parikshit Sahni

Do Ladkiyan(1977) Sanjeev Kumar

Zindagi(1976) Sanjeev Kumar

Mazdoor Zindabad(1976) Rajendra Kumar

Naseeb(1976) (Guest Appearance)

Sunehra Sansar(1975)Rajendra Kumar

Archana(1974)Sanjeev Kumar

Kora Badan(1974) (Guest Appearance)

36 Ghante(1974)Rajkumar

Nek Parveen(1974)Rakesh Pandey

Rickshawala(1973) Sujit Kumar

Kahani Hum Sab Ki(1973) Vinod Mehra

Phir Kab Milogi(1973) Biswajeet

Rivaaj(1972) Sanjeev Kumar

Lalkaar(1972) Rajendra Kumar

Maryada(1971)Rajkumar / Rajesh Khanna

Sanjog(1971) Amitabh Bachchan

Chahat(1971) Biswajeet

Holi Aayee Re(1970)Prakash Thapa

Kangan(1970)Sanjeev Kumar

Geet(1970)Rajendra Kumar

Do Bhai(1970) Jeetendra

Paisa Ya Pyar(1970) Biswajeet

Jaldeep(1970) (Children Film Society)

Mere Huzoor(1969) Rajkumar / Jeetendra

Humsaya(1968)Joy Mukherjee

Do Kaliyan(1968)Biswajeet

Pyar Ka Sapna(1968)Biswajeet

Aankhen(1968) Dharmendra

Dillagi(1966)Sanjay Khan

Nai Roshni(1967) with Biswajeet

Night In London(1967)Biswajeet

Jaal(1967) Biswajeet

Aasra(1966)Biswajeet

Tamanna(1966) Biswajeet

Apne Huye Paraye(1966) Manoj Kumar

Mere Lal(1966) Dev Kumar

Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi(1966) Dharmendra

Himalaya Ki God Mein(1965)Manoj Kumar........Nominated (Filmfare Best Actress Award)

Jab Yaad Kisiki Aati Hai(1965)Dharmendra

Neela Akaash(1965)Dharmendra

Bahu Beti(1965)Joy Mukherjee

Main Suhagan Hoon(1965)Ajit Khan

Jahanara(1964) Bharat Bhushan..........Nominated (Filmfare Best Actress Award)

Suhagan(1964)Guru Dutt

Phool Bane Angarey(1963) Rajkumar

Pooja Ke Phool(1963) Dharmendra

Gumraah(1963) with Sunil Dutt

Bahu Rani (1963) Guru Dutt...........Nominated (Filmfare Best Actress Award)

Gehra Daag (1963) Rajendra Kumar

Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962) Manoj Kumar

Anpadh(1962) Dharmendra

Bombay Ka Chor (1962) Kishore Kumar

Aankh Micholi (1962) Shekhar

Gyarah Hazaar Ladkiyan (1962) Bharat Bhushan

Dil Tera Diwana (1962) Shammi Kapoor

Suhag Sindoor (1961) Manoj Kumar

Maya (1961) Dev Anand

Dharamputra (1961) Rehman

Patang (1960) Rajendra Kumar

Main Nashe Mein Hoon (1960) Raj Kapoor

Bewaqoof (1960) Kishore Kumar

Mitti Mein Sona (1960) Pradeep Kumar

Dhool Ka Phool (1959) Ashok Kumar / Rajendra Kumar.......Nominated (Filmfare Best Actress Award)

Love Marriage (1959) Dev Anand

Duniya Na Mane (1959) Pradeep Kumar

Ujala (1959) Shammi Kapoor

Devar Bhabhi(1958)Rajendra Kumar

Parvarish(1958)Raj Kapoor

Phir Subah Hogi(1958)Raj Kapoor

Jaalsaz(1959)Kishore Kumar

Chandan(1958)Kishore Kumar

Detective(1958) Pradeep Kumar

Nausherwan-E-Adil(1957) Rajkumar

Ek Goan Ki Kahani(1957)Abhi Bhattacharya / Talat Mehmood

Apradhi Kaun(1957)Abhi Bhattacharya

Lal Batti(1957)Balraj Sahni

Fashion(1957)Pradeep Kumar

Pyaasa(1957)Guru Dutt / Rehman

Rangin Raaten(1956) Shammi Kapoor

Ek Shola(1956)Pradeep Kumar

Paisa Hi Paisa(1956)Kishore Kumar

Naya Zamana(1955) Pradeep Kumar

Ratna Manjari(1955)Mahipal

Ekadashi(1955)Trilok Kapoor

Riyasat(1955) Mahipal

Badshah(1954)PRADEEP KUMAR

Hamlet(1954)PRADEEP KUMAR

SUHAGAN(1952)GURU DUTT

Jhanshi Ki Rani(1952)SOHRAB Modi

BENGALI FILMS

Shohorer Itikotha ( with Uttam Kumar )

Saathihaara ( with Uttam Kumar )

Abhaya O Srikanta(1961)

KELAGHAR(1959)UTTAM KUMAR

Lookochoori (1958)(with Kishore Kumar)

LOUHA KAPAT(1958)

Kabita

Bondhu

SURER PARASHEY(1957)

PRITHIBI AMARE CHAAY(1957)

PUTRABADHU(1956)

DHULI(1954)

CHITRANGADHA(1954)

JOG BIYOG(1953)

ROSHANARA(1952)

Nepali Film

Maitighar

References

-A Profile of Mala Sinha -A Biography of Mala Sinha

External links

A Biography

Category:Bengali people Category:Nepalese actors Category:Indian film actors Category:1936 births Category:Living people Category:Indian Christians Category:Indian actors Category:Hindi film actors Category:Kashmiri people Category:Indian people of Nepalese descent

Name	Asha Bhosle
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Asha Mangeshkar
Born	September 08, 1933Sangli, Bombay Presidency, British India
Genre	Pop, folk, Indian classical music
Occupation	Singer, playback singer
Years active	1943–present

Asha Bhosle () (born September 8, 1933) is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a much wider repertoire. Her career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over 1000 Bollywood movies, and among other activities she has recorded many private albums and has participated in numerous concerts in India and abroad. Bhosle is the sister of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.

Renowned for her voice range and often credited for her versatility, Bhosle's work includes film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian Classical music, folk songs, qawwalis, Rabindra Sangeets and Nazrul Geetis. She has sung in over 18 languages including Assamese, Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, English, Russian, Czech, Nepali, Malay and Malayalam.

In 2006, Asha Bhosle stated that she had sung over 12,000 songs, a figure repeated by several other sources. The World Records Academy, an international organization which certifies world records, recognized her as the "Most Recorded Artist" in the world, in September 2009.

Biography

Asha Bhosle was born in the small hamlet of Goar in Sangli, Bombay Presidency (now in Maharashtra), into the musical family of Master Deenanath Mangeshkar. Her father was a theater actor and classical singer. When she was nine years old, her father died. The family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Mumbai. She and her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar began singing and acting in films to support their family. She sang her first film song Chala Chala Nav Bala for the Marathi movie Majha Bal (1943). The music for the film was composed by Datta Dawjekar. She made her Hindi film debut when she sang the song Saawan aaya for Hansraj Behl's Chunariya (1948). Her first solo Hindi film song was for the movie Raat Ki Raani (1949).

At the age of 16, she eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, marrying him against her family's wishes. Ganpatrao was sister Lata's personal secretary. The marriage failed miserably. Her husband and in-laws mistreated her. After a few years of marriage, Bhosle was turned out (around 1960) by a suspicious Ganpatrao and she went to her maternal home with two children and pregnant with her third child, Anand. She continued to sing in films to earn money.

At that time, prominent playback singers like Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar (her sister) monopolized the singing for the "heroine" roles and the big films, whilst Asha Bhosle used to get the assignments they did not take: singing for the bad girls and vamps, or songs in the second-grade movies. In the 1950s, she sang more songs than most other playback singers in Bollywood (not counting Lata), yet most of these were in low budget B or C-grade films. Her earliest songs were composed by A R Qureshi, Sajjad Hussain and Ghulam Mohammed, most of which failed to do well. Some of the most popular Asha Bhosle-Helen numbers are Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), O Haseena Zulfon Wali (Teesri Manzil), and Yeh Mera Dil (Don).

By the 1980s, Asha Bhosle had been stereotyped as a "cabaret singer" and a "pop crooner". In Rekha-starrer Umrao Jaan, she proved her versatility by singing ghazals like Dil cheez kya hai, In aankhon ki masti ke, Ye kya jagah hai doston and Justju jiski thi. The music director Khayyam, had lowered her pitch by half a note. Asha herself was surprised that she could sing so differently. The ghazals won her the first National Award of her career. A few years later, she won another National Award for the song Mera Kuchh Saamaan from Ijaazat (1987).

In 1995, a 62-year-old Asha Bhosle did playback for young actress Urmila Matondkar in the movie Rangeela. The soundtrack featured songs like Tanha Tanha and Rangeela Re sung by her, and composed by music director A. R. Rahman, who went on to record many more songs with her.

As late as 2005, 72-year-old Asha Bhosle's numbers for the Tamil film Chandramukhi and the pop song Lucky Lips for Salman Khan-starrer were chartbusters. Some of the other popular Tamil songs sung by Bhosle are Oh! Butterfly, September Maadham and Vennila Vennila.

In October 2004, The Very Best of Asha Bhosle, The Queen of Bollywood, a compilation album of songs recorded by Bhosle for albums and Bollywood films that were released during 1966-2003, was released.

Partnership with music directors

;O.P. Nayyar

Music director O. P. Nayyar's association with Asha Bhosle is part of Bollywood lore. He was the composer who first gave Asha her own distinct identity. Many people have speculated about a romantic relationship between the two.

Nayyar first met Asha in 1952, at the music recording of Chham Chhama Chham. He first called her for a film called Mangu (1954), and gave her a big break in CID (1956). However, it was the success of Naya Daur (1957), that made the duo very popular. After 1959, she was emotionally and professionally involved with Nayyar.

The team of O.P. Nayyar and Asha Bhosle is best remembered for their breezy and sometimes sirenish songs. Some good examples of their sensuous numbers are Aaiye meherbaan picturised on Madhubala (Howrah Bridge, 1958) and Yeh hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera picturised on Mumtaz (Mere Sanam, 1965). They recorded songs for many hit movies like Naya Daur (1957), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Howrah Bridge (1958), Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), etc. Some of their most popular songs include Aao huzur tumko (Kismat), Jaaiye aap kahan (Mere Sanam) etc. O.P. Nayyar used the Asha Bhosle-Mohammad Rafi duo for his most popular duets. some of these songs include Ude jab jab zulfein teri (Naya Daur). Main pyaar ka rahi hoon (Ek Musafir Ek Haseena), Deewana Hua Baadal, Ishaaron hi isharon mein (Kashmir Ki Kali) etc.

Asha recorded her last song for O.P. Nayyar in the movie Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974). The solo number Chain se got many awards, but it was not included in the movie.

They split on August 5, 1972. It is not clear what made them part their ways. On being asked the reason for their parting, O P Nayyar once said, "I know astrology very well. I knew that one day I had to part with her. Something also happened, that upset me, so I left her." She gives the credit for her first big break to B. R. Chopra, the producer of Naya Daur.

;Khayyam Another music director who recognized Bhosle's talent early was Khayyam. His partnership with Asha Bhosle dates back to his first movie Biwi (1948). Khayyam gave her some good assignments in the 1950s, including Dard and Phir Subah Hogi. But the team is chiefly remembered for the songs of Umrao Jaan.

;Ravi Music composer Ravi considered Asha one of his favorite singers. She sang for his first movie Vachan (1955). The melodious lullaby from the movie, Chandamama door ke became an overnight hit among young mothers in India. Ravi got her to sing bhajans for the movies Gharana, Grihasti, Kajal and Phool Aur Patthar, at a time when most of the composers remembered her only when they needed to record B-grade songs picturized on the vamps or the side-heroines. Ravi and Asha Bhosle recorded a variety of songs, including the popular funny duet with Kishore Kumar - C A T...Cat maane billi (Dilli Ka Thug). The bhajan Tora man darpan (Kajal) is considered one of Asha Bhosle's best songs.

They also recorded songs for many popular movies like Waqt, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Gumrah, Bahu Beti, China Town, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Dhund, Humraaz, and Kajal with her. For Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Ravi wanted Geeta Dutt (the wife of producer Guru Dutt) to sing the songs. But when she backed out, Guru Dutt insisted that Asha Bhosle sing the songs. During this period, S D Burman used Asha Bhosle as his lead female voice. She and S D Burman gave many hit songs in movies such as Kaala Pani, Kaala Bazaar, Insaan Jaag Utha, Lajwanti, Sujata and Teen Deviyaan (1965). They recorded many songs together after 1962 as well. Most famous of these songs were Asha Bhosle's duets with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. The song Ab ke baras in Bimal Roy's Bandini (1963) consolidated her position as a lead singer. The seductive song Raat Akeli Hai from Jewel Thief (1967), picturised on Tanuja, became very popular.

;Rahul Dev Burman (Pancham) Asha first met Rahul Dev Burman (a.k.a. "Pancham") when she was a mother of two and he was in 10th grade having dropped out to pursue music. Their partnership was first noticed in Teesri Manzil (1966). She went on to record a variety of songs with him - cabarets, rock, disco, ghazals, Indian classical music and many more.

In the 1970s, Asha Bhosle and Pancham's youthful, Western songs took Bollywood music by storm - the raunchy cabaret Piya tu ab to aaja (Caravan, 1971, picturized on Helen), the rebellious Dum Maro Dum ( Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1971), the sexy Duniya mein (Apna Desh, 1972), the romantic Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (Yaadon Ki Baaraat, 1973). Pancham also recorded many hit duets with Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar - Jaane jaan, dhoondhta phir raha (Jawani Diwani), Bhali bhali si ek soorat (Buddha Mil Gaya) etc.

In 1980s, Pancham and Asha Bhosle recorded subtle numbers for films like Ijaazat (1987)- Mera kuch saaman, Khaali haath shaam aayi hai, Katra Katra. They also recorded the popular duet O Maria (Saagar). Mera Kuchch saamaan, the R.D. Burman composition for Gulzar's Ijaazat won her the National Award for Best Singer.

Asha Bhosle used to call R D Burman "Bubs". She married him in 1980. Their partnership lasted until his death.

RD Burman made her sing some of the most legendary songs in Bengali language as well, namely Mohuyae Jomechhe Aaj mou go,Chokhe Chokhe kotha bolo Chokhhe naame brishti(Bengali version of Jaane Kya Baat hai), Baanshi sune ki ghore thaka jaye,Sondhya Belae tumi aami,Aaj Gungun gun gunje amar (Bengali version of Pyaar Deewana hota hai),etc.

;Ilaiyaraaja The prolific south Indian film composer Ilaiyaraaja began employing Asha Bhosle's vocals in the early 1980s, their earliest collaboration being for the film Moondram Pirai (1982) (or Sadma, its Hindi remake in 1983). Their association continued, mostly through the latter half of the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of their notable songs from this period include Shenbagamae (Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran, 1987, Tamil). In 2000, Asha sung Ilaiyaraaja's theme song for Kamal Haasan's political film Hey Ram. The song, Janmon Ki Jwala (or Aparna's Theme), was a duet with ghazal singer Hariharan.

;A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman is given the credit for Asha Bhosle's 'comeback' with Rangeela (1994). Songs like Tanha Tanha and Rangeela Re were chartbusters. She and Rahman went on to record more hits like Mujhe Rang De (Thakshak), Radha Kaise Na Jale (Lagaan, duet with Udit Narayan), Kahin Aag Lage (Taal), O Bhanware (Daud, duet with K. J. Yesudas), Venilla Venilla (Iruvar,1999), Dhuan Dhuan (Meenaxi,2004). Naushad, later in his life, also admitted that he has been unfair to Asha Bhonsle. Asha has also worked with other noted Bollywood composers like Jatin Lalit, Bappi Lahiri, Kalyanji Anandji, Usha Khanna, Chitragupt, and Roshan.

Non-Bollywood music

Private albums

In a rare feat, noted lyricist, Gulzar, music director, R.D. Burman and Asha Bhosle, came together in 1987, to create a double album, titled, Dil Padosi Hai, which was released on September 8, 1987, Asha Bhosle's birthday. In 1995, Asha underwent the gatha bandan (thread-tying) ceremony with Hindustani classical music maestro Ali Akbar Khan to learn a classical repertoire held within the Maihar gharana (stylistic school of Indian classical music), as handed down to Khan by his father Allauddin Khan (the guru of Ravi Shankar). Later, Asha and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan recorded eleven fixed compositions (or bandishes) in California for Legacy, a private album that won them a Grammy Award nomination.

In 1990s, Asha experimented with the remixed R D Burman songs. She was criticized by many, including Khayyam for tampering with old melodies. Nevertheless, albums like Rahul And I became quite popular. In 1997, Asha did a private Indipop album Janam Samjha Karo with Leslie Lewis. The album was hugely popular and won her many awards including the 1997 MTV Award.

Asha had been once asked by the director B R Ishaara to compose music for one of his films, but she had politely declined. In 2002, she turned music composer with the album Aap Ki Asha, an eight-song music and video album. The lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri (his last lyrics) and the music was composed by Asha herself. The album was released by Sachin Tendulkar on May 21, 2001 at a lavish party in Mumbai. The album received mixed reviews.

Asha had spotted Pakistani singer Adnan Sami's talent when he was about 10 years old. At that time was performing in London, with R D Burman. It was she who had asked him to pursue his interests in music seriously. When Adnan grew up and became a professional musician, Asha sang the title duet with him for his best-selling album Kabhi to nazar milao. The two came together again in the album Barse Badal. The album comprises eight songs, based on Indian Classical music. She contributed the song Yun Na Thi to the recording Womad Talking Book Volume Four: An Introduction to Asia 1 on Womad Records.

Asha has sung ghazals for many albums like Meraj-E-Ghazal, Aabshar-E-Ghazal and Kashish. In 2005, Asha released a self-title album (Asha), a tribute to the four ghazal maestros - Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum and Jagjit Singh. The album features eight of her favorite ghazals like Farida Khanum’s Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo, Ghulam Ali’s Chupke Chupke, Aawargi and Dil Mein Ek Lahar, Jagjit Singh’s Ahista Ahista and Mehdi Hassan’s Ranjish Hi Sahi, Rafta Rafta and Mujhe Tum Nazar Se. These classic ghazals were recreated with modern sounds by the musician Pandit Somesh Mathur. The album was aimed at the younger generation, who, according to Asha, are "turned off" by the traditional sounds of tabla and sarangi.

Numerous compilations of Asha's songs have been released as well. To commemorate her 60th birthday, in 1993 EMI India released three cassettes: Bala Main Bairagan Hoongi (devotional songs), The Golden Collection: Memorable Ghazals (non-film ghazals by composers such as Ghulam Ali, R D Burman and Nazar Hussain), and The Golden Collection: The Ever Versatile Asha Bhosle (44 popular film songs).

In 2006, she recorded an album Asha and Friends, singing duets, with film actors Sanjay Dutt and Urmila Matondkar and famous cricket player Brett Lee, with whom she sang, You're the One for Me (Haan Main Tumhara Hoon). All these songs composed by Shamir Tandon were shot on video by journalist turned director S Ramachandran.

Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists

In 1980s and 1990s, Asha went globe-trotting, staging concerts in Canada, Dubai, UK, U.S. and many other countries. In 1989, during a world tour, she performed in 13 US cities in 20 days. Immediately after this, she had an already sold-out concert scheduled in Stockholm, Sweden. Due to the stressful schedule, Asha suffered a massive attack of colitis, together with fever, cough and weakness. In Stockholm, a pre-concert crisis meeting was called, attended by Asha's son (and manager) Anand and the sponsors. It was decided that the orchestra will play many instrumental tracks, the accompanying singers like Suresh Wadkar will shoulder the load, and Asha will make a small appearance. But Asha rejected all such proposals, and sang at the concert with great difficulty, in a not-so-good voice. Her first set of six Bollywood songs did not receive any response from the audience, which consisted mostly of Indian and Pakistani expats. Before the start of the second set of songs, a fan in the crowd requested her to sing a Marathi song. Asha obliged and sang Naach-naachuni ati mi damale ("I'm very tired of this endless dancing"). When the song ended, the auditorium erupted with claps and the encores started. After the concert, Asha was in bed for a month, recuperating from overexertion. In October 2002, she did a concert with Sudesh Bhosle and others, in London, for "Help the Aged" to help raise funds for older people in India. In 2007 she toured the USA, Canada, and West Indies in a tour called "The Incredibles". In this tour, she was accompanied by singers Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher. This tour went on to hold more than 20 concerts and was originally scheduled for only 12.

In the mid-1980s, Asha sang with Boy George (Bow down mister) and Stephen Lauscombe. In 1997, she sang a love song with the boy band Code Red, at the age of 64. She also recorded the song The Way you Dream (One Giant Leap, ) with Michael Stipe that was used in the English movie, Bulletproof Monk. The song was also released on the self-titled album 1 Giant Leap for 2002.

In 1997, the British band Cornershop paid tribute to Asha with their song Brimful of Asha, an international hit which was later remixed by Fatboy Slim. In 2001, the CD single of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird" included a "Nellie vs. Asha Remix" created by Digital Cutup Lounge.

In 2003, British opera pop singer Sarah Brightman sampled her song "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" on her album Harem. It was used as the intro for her song "You Take My Breath Away".

In 2005, American string quartet Kronos Quartet re-recorded the R D Burman compositions like Chura Liya, Piya Tu, Mera Kuchh Saaman among others and got Asha to sing them. Despite her age (she had crossed 70), she recorded three to four songs in a day, leaving the quartet members stupefied. On August 23, 2005, You've stolen my heart - Songs From R D Burman's Bollywood was released in US. The album was nominated for Grammy Awards 2006 in the category of "Best Contemporary World Music Album". Earlier, in 1990s, a friend had introduced David Harrington of Kronos Quartet to the song Aaj ki raat. Harrington was mesmerised, and the song ended up on the album Kronos Caravan.

Also in 2005, The Black Eyed Peas sampled her songs "Ae Naujawan Sab Kuchh Yahan" (Apradh, 1972) and "Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana" (Don, 1978) in their hit single "Don't Phunk with My Heart". In late 2006, Asha collaborated with Australian test cricket star, Brett Lee. The single, You're the One for Me debuted at number 4 on the charts and reached a peak position of number 2.

In 2006 Asha Bhosle recorded one song for the soundtrack of Pakistani movie Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaaonga. singing the song Dil Key Taar Bajey with famous Pakistani pop singer Jawad Ahmed. The song was aired as the part of the film's promotional campaign and became very popular, featuring on top music charts.

Personal life

Asha's house is situated in Prabhukunj Apt on Peddar Road area of South Mumbai. She has three children and five grandchildren. The eldest of her three children is Hemant Bhosle (named after Hemant Kumar), spent most of his early years as a pilot and quit to have a brief career as a music director. Asha's daughter Varsha, who is younger than Hemant, worked as a columnist for The Sunday Observer and Rediff. The youngest child is Anand Bhosle, who has studied business and film direction. He manages Asha's career. Her grandson, Chaitanya (Chintu) Bhosle (Hemant's son) also ventured in the world of music, as a member of a successful boy band, "Band of Boys". Her sisters Lata and Usha Mangeshkar are playback singers. The other two siblings, sister Meena Mangeshkar and brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar are music directors.

Asha is an excellent cook and cooking is her favorite hobby. She often gets flooded with requests by Bollywood celebrities for kadai ghosht and biryani and has rarely turned down a request. In fact, her paya curry, Goan fish curry and dal are very popular with the Kapoor family of Bollywood. Once, when asked in a Times of India interview, what if her singing career had not taken off, she said "I would have become a cook. I'd have cooked in four houses and made money."

Asha is a successful restaurateur and runs restaurants in Dubai and Kuwait, called Asha's. Asha's offers traditional north-western Indian cuisine. It has a presence in the Wafi City development in Dubai, as well as three restaurants in Kuwait, at The Avenues Mall, the Marina Mall and a brand new third outlet at the Spoons Complex. Other restaurants can be found in Abu Dhabi's Khaldiya Mall, Doha's Villagio and Bahrain's City Center Mall, with future outposts planned for Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and Cairo, Egypt. Asha Bhosle has a 20% stake in the business. Asha is not involved in day-to-day running of the restaurant which is looked after by the Wafi Group. She takes care of the kitchen and the décor. She personally trained the chefs for almost six months. According to a December 2004 report in the Menu Magazine, Russell Scott, a former head of Harry Ramsden's (the fish and chips chain), secured the UK rights to the Asha's brand and planned to open up to 40 restaurants over the next five years. As part of her chain of restaurants, Asha's, Ashatai has recently opened a new restaurant in Birmingham, UK.

Asha's fashion statement is white sarees with sparkling embroidery, pearls around her neck and diamonds. Harrington of Kronos Quartet said "The first time I met Ashaji she was dressed in the most beautiful sari with diamonds and looked very regal. Then I looked down and saw that she was wearing tennis shoes! I thought I love this woman."

Asha is a good mimicry artist as well. At a concert at World Trade Center in Dubai on April 22, 2004, she mimicked the song Kabhi To Nazar Milaao in the voices of Noor Jehan, Lata Mangeshkar and Ghulam Ali.

Nowadays, apart from singing and her restaurant, Asha is also working on her autobiography.

Rivalry with Lata Mangeshkar

Asha's sibling rivalry with her sister Lata Mangeshkar is often talked about, in spite of their insistence that these are just tales.

Lata considered Asha's act of eloping with her lover as irresponsible, leaving her alone to sing and earn for the family. This led to tensions among them. Asha herself accepted in an interview Asha said about the movie — "To have two women in long plaits, take a couple of incidents and exaggerate them into a 3-hour film is such a waste of time." She won her first two awards in 1967 and 1968, when Lata Mangeshkar still used to accept the award (Mangeshkar asked not to be considered for the award nominations after 1969 to promote new talent). After receiving the award in 1979, Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations hereafter. Despite this, Bhosle is the most frequent winner of this award to date, tying with Alka Yagnik. She was later given a Special Award for Rangeela in 1996, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Following is the list of her Filmfare Awards:

Filmfare Best Female Playback Award:

1968: "Garibon ki Suno" (Dus Lakh, 1966)

1969: "Parde Mein Rehne Do" (Shikar, 1968)

1972: "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (Caravan, 1971)

1973: "Dum Maro Dum" (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1972)

1974: "Hone Lagi Hain Raat" (Naina, 1973)

1975: "Chain Se Humko Kabhi" (Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye, 1974)

1979: "Yeh Mera Dil" (Don, 1978)

Other Awards:

1996 - Special Award (Rangeela, 1995)

2001 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

;National Film Awards Asha has won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer twice:

1981: Dil Cheez Kya Hai (Umrao Jaan)

1986: Mera Kuch Samaan (Ijaazat)

;Other awards Asha has won numerous other awards, some of which include: 1987: Nightingale Of Asia Award (from the Indo–Pak Association, UK).

1999: Lata Mangeshkar Award (Government of Maharashtra)

2000: Singer of the Millennium (Dubai).

2000: Zee Gold Bollywood Award (for Mujhe Rang De from Thakshak).

2001: MTV Award (for Kambakht Ishq).

2002: BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair).

2002: Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer - Female (for Radha Kaise Na Jale from Lagaan).

2002: Zee Cine Special Award for Hall of Fame.

2002: Screen Videocon Award (for Radha Kaise Na Jale from Lagaan).

2002: Sansui Movie Award (for Radha Kaise Na Jale from Lagaan).

2003: Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding contributions to Indian music. 2005: MTV Immies, Best Female Pop Act for Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo. 2005: Most Stylish People in Music.

;Honours and recognitions

In 1997, Asha became the first Indian singer to be nominated for the Grammy Award, for Legacy, an album with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

She has received seventeen Maharashtra State Awards.

She received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

She holds honorary doctorates from the University of Amravati and University of Jalgaon in Literature.

She has received The Freddie Mercury Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts.

The Birmingham Film Festival paid her a special tribute in November 2002.

She was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India.

She was among top 20 music icons of the past 50 years by CNN.

Footnotes and references

Further reading

External links

Asha Bhosle: The Voice Of Bollywood And More - audio report by NPR

Category:1933 births Category:Living people Category:Bengali-language singers Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients Category:English-language singers Category:Female guitarists Category:Gujarati-language singers Category:Hindi-language singers Category:Indian female singers Category:Indian film singers Category:Indian guitarists Category:Kollywood playback singers Category:Marathi-language singers Category:Marathi playback singers Category:Nepali-language singers Category:People from Maharashtra Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan Category:Russian-language singers Category:Tamil-language singers