12th April started as a normal routine Sunday, but soon melancholy spread over as the sad news of Asha Bhosle’s demise struck the nation. It was only a day earlier that she was hospitalized for chest infection.
Lata Mangeshkar’s death was on a Sunday too, and now her younger sister also went for heavenly abode. Asha Bhosle was 92 years old and was still maintaining her enthusiasm and vigour. I think it was a couple of years back that she performed in a live show in Dubai.
Her journey as a playback singer started in the late 40s and she had to struggle for her place as she faced a strong challenge by no one else but her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar.
Despite all the problems in her married life and the so called dispute between the sisters, she finally achieved a place in Hindi cinema.
Image From IMDb
Today as a tribute to the legendary singer, I wish to present a song list of her solos sung for the prominent film personalities in Hindi films.
I wish to dedicate a separate song list for each of her associations with the prominent composers of Hindi cinema in due course. Of course I’ve already covered her associations with O P Nayyar, Salil Choudhury and Madan Mohan.
Without delay let’s remember her songs picturised on prominent film personalities of Hindi cinema. Today’s post will focus on the actresses of the 50s and the 60s……..
1. Madhubala –
One of the most popular actresses of the golden era, Madhubala always received playback from the Mangeshkar sisters. Her popular films with Asha Bhosle singing for her were Howrah Bridge (1958), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Phagun (1958), Insaan Jaag Utha (1959) etc. Let’s listen to one of the songs.
Aaiye Meherbaan – Howrah Bridge (1958) / O P Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi
It’s one of their best associations. The song is best known for Asha Bhosle’s flawless rendition, Qamar Jalalabadi’s lyrics and Madhubala’s expressions. A complete package. Asha’s association with Nayyar was at the peak during this period and she was almost the only female playback singer for him. She got to sing songs of all genres for Nayyar.
2. Nutan –
Nutan very soon proved herself as a talented actress. Sone Ki Chidiya (1958), Sujata (1959), Basant (1960), were her prominent films with Asha Bhosle singing for her.
Nigaahen Milane To Jee Chahta Hai – Dil Hi To Hai (1963) / Roshan – Sahir
A wonderful qawwali, equally well presented by Nutan. Her expressions, her graceful dance steps, perfect lip sync and her vivacious presence just glorifies the silver screen.
Of course the sargam in the end is sung amazingly by Asha Bhosle. Though it was her only song for Nutan in the movie, it’s nevertheless one of her best songs.
3. Meena Kumari –
For Meena Kumari as well, Asha Bhosle sang a few songs. The notable ones were Kaajal (1965) and Bahu Begum (1967), though there were a few other films.
Tora Man Darpan Kahlaye – Kaajal (1965) / Ravi – Sahir
The song starts as a credits song and almost half of it is dedicated for the purpose. The focus then shifts to the Pooja ghar of the house where Meena Kumari and Durga Khote are praying to the God. If Asha Bhosle was at home with cabaret or Mujra, she sang this devotional song with dedication. Of course Asha Bhosle’s versatility was quite evident.
4. Nargis –
Though Lata Mangeshkar sang a lot of songs for Nargis, Asha Bhosle too sang a few songs for her. The most popular of their association was for the film, Lajwanti where all of her songs were sung by Asha Bhosle. My choice for today’s list is,
Koi Aaya Dhadkan Kehti Hai – Lajwanti (1958) / S D Burman – Majrooh
A beautiful piano song portraying the love and dedication of a wife to her husband. After 1957, Asha Bhosle became the chosen singer for S D Burman and she got to sing a number of songs of different genres under his baton. She worked hard for the exact expressions expected by the composer. How beautifully she sang this song.
5. Geeta Bali –
Geeta Bali didn’t get many opportunities though she was a talented actress. Asha Bhosle sang for her in Vachan (1955), Ten o’clock (1958) etc.
Chanda Mama Door Ke – Vachan (1955) / Ravi – Prem Dhawan
It was Ravi’s first film as a composer. Asha Bhosle was the chosen singer and this beautiful lullaby still maintains its popularity even after 70 years. Asha’s association with Ravi strengthened over the years where she sang numerous popular songs for him.
6. Vyjayantimala –
She started in Hindi films with Shamshad Begum’s playback. Later both the Mangesh sisters sang for her in a number of films. In a few films both of them sang for her. I’ve selected from such a film.
Ina Meena Dika – Aasha (1957) / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
It was Asha’s first song for the main lead under the baton of C Ramchandra. It was an inspired song and Asha Bhosle was a perfect choice for such rock n roll songs. Later not only for western styled songs, she sang for Vyjayantimala for Indian classical dance forms as well.
7. Nalini Jaywant –
Nalini Jaywant started her acting career in the early 40s, opposite Mukesh in Nirdosh. For a few films she even sang for herself. But for most of her hits, a number of female playback singers sang for her. The first song that came to my mind was,
Nazar Lagi Raja Tore Bangle Par – Kala Pani (1958) / S D Burman – Majrooh
A beautiful Mujra song picturised on Nalini Jaywant. She received a well deserved best supporting actress Filmfare award for the movie. If her facial expressions are superb, Asha Bhosle’s vocal expressions are amazing too.
8. Waheeda Rehman –
Starting her Hindi film career as a vamp with CID (1956), she soon made it to the main lead. Asha Bhosle sang for her in Kala Bazaar (1960), Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (1963) and a few other films like Teesri Kasam (1966), and Neelkamal (1968). Let’s see what I have chosen.
Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamaro – Teesri Kasam (1966) / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
It was one of those movies where both the Mangeshkar sisters sang for Waheeda Rehman, a couple of solos each. While ‘Hay Gazab Kahin Taara Toota’ is excellent (and difficult to sing), I chose the more popular solo. An amazing song in full nautanki style.
9. Helen –
Helen started as a dancer in Hindi films and very soon attracted audiences with her graceful steps while maintaining dignity. Though mostly she was chosen for dance numbers, she had a few supporting roles in Hindi films. Also she was a main lead for a few films which unfortunately couldn’t be popular and she could never establish herself as a leading lady. Asha Bhosle was her voice right from the beginning and it continued till the 70s. For today’s list I’ve chosen a song from one of the films where Helen was the main lead.
Hum Tere Bin Jee Na Sakenge Sanam – Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966) / Ganesh – Asad Bhopali
The song is picturised on a beautiful looking Helen, clad in a salwar kameez, and Dara Singh riding a horse. The song has a clapping sound rhythm, which makes it very catchy and easy on the ears. Though it wasn’t a dance number, Asha’s voice modulates itself for a softer expression, perfectly suiting the occasion.
10. Sadhana –
Sadhana was one of the most popular and talented actresses of the 60s and the 70s. Started her career in 1960 with Joy Mukherjee in Love in Simla where Asha Bhosle was one of her on screen voices. Later she received Asha Bhosle’s playback in a number of movies. Sadhana was living in a bunglow owned by Asha Bhosle and in the later years there was a dispute between them. The legal matters went on until Sadhana’s death. The first song I could think of was,
Jhumka Gira Re – Mera Saaya (1966) / Madan Mohan – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Sadhana played a double role in the movie and Asha Bhosle sang for one of the characters. A popular song in nautanki style. It’s one of the most popular songs by Asha Bhosle and one of Sadhana’s popular songs.
11. Asha Parekh –
Asha Parekh debuted with Dil Deke Dekho (1959) where Asha Bhosle sang for her and she was thus her first onscreen voice. Later the association strengthened over time with films like, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Mere Sanam (1965), Do Badan (1966), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966) etc to name a few. Let’s listen to my choice,
Jab Chali Thandi Hawa – Do Badan (1966) / Ravi – Shakeel Badayuni
The song became familiar to me as it used to feature frequently on Doordarshan in various Hindi film song programs like Rangoli. The agony in Asha’s voice perfectly reflects the pain the character experiences.
Another of their best is Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge from Mere Sanam.
12. Mala Sinha –
She was a popular actress of the 50s and the 60s. Her career graph went up in the 60s and a number of her songs were sung by Asha Bhosle.
Main Jab Bhi Akeli Hoti Hoon – Dharamputra (1962) / N Datta – Sahir
Though this song is not lip synched by Mala Sinha, I love the song. It’s so beautifully written by Sahir and so well sung by Asha Bhosle! One gets a picture of the lyrics in front of their eyes. And the emotions keep on changing as the song progresses. Listen how Asha Bhosle makes us feel the shy moments by her soft voice and the pain of separation in the last verse. Feel the agony when she sings, ‘Kaise Ho Kaha Ho Kuchh To Kaho’.
13. Sharmila Tagore –
Making her debut opposite Shammi Kapoor in Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), Sharmila Tagore also got Asha Bhosle as her first playback singer. Later Asha Bhosle sang for her in various films under the baton of popular composers. Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1966), Waqt (1965), An Evening in Paris (1967), Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) to name a few of her associations.
Yehi Woh Jagah Hai – Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1966) / O P Nayyar – S H Bihari
The film had a very good score with memorable songs. Asha Bhosle sang good number of solos and duets for this movie. I chose to highlight this soulful melody for its heart touching rendition.
14. Tanuja –
Nutan’s younger sister Tanuja too joined the Hindi film industry with the family Chhabili (1960). Both the Mangeshkar sisters sang for her in various films. While I was much inclined to Raat Akeli Hai, I went for this energetic song composed by Salil Choudhury.
Baagh Mein Kali Khili – Chand Aur Suraj (1965) / Salil Choudhury – Shailendra
A song with a sweet tune. Though the other songs were not offered to Asha Bhosle, Salil da was spot on to choose her for this energetic, bubbly song. I’ve already covered Asha’s association with Salil Choudhury. This one happens to be one of the best known songs of thier association. Tanuja in a swim suit, carries the song cutely.
15. Mumtaz –
Mumtaz started as an extra in the early 60s, and slowly appeared in lead roles in B grade movies. By the end of the 60s, she was doing supporting roles in A grade movies. In the 70s she finally emerged as a main lead in a number of films with success and popularity. Throughout the journey, she received playback by the Mangeshkar sisters. Asha Bhosle was there from the beginning. And for today’s list, I’ve added a song from her earlier films when she was a frequent opposite Dara Singh.
O Matware Sajna – Faulad (1966) / G S Kohli – Faruq Kaiser
G S Kohli was Nayyar’s assistant and Asha Bhosle singing under his baton was an obvious thing. Faulad had a number of good solos by Asha Bhosle, picturised on both Mumtaz and Meenu Mumtaz. I chose this energetic song with a tonga rhythm. What a beautiful melody! And see the voice modulation by Asha Bhosle. High and low notes are so easily sung.
To limit the number of songs, I will end it here.
I’ll be back with the actresses of the 70s and 80s soon.
Please add your favourite by Asha Bhosle picturised on your favourite actress of the 50s and the 60s.
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
