Asha Bhosle`s songs through the decades : Chanda ki Bindiya

Asha Bhosle songs from every decade 1940-2013

Asha Bhosle has been acknowledged by the Guiness Book of World Records for being the most recorded artist in history having recorded over 11,000 songs in over 20 languages. Here is taking you on a journey with her through her decades in Bollywood and more...

Do chaar idhar, do chaar udhar

Film: Raat ki Raani

Year:1949

Music Director: Hansraj Behl.

Lyricist: Aarzoo Lucknowi.

Asha Bhosle started her career in the 1940s with ‘Chala Chala Nav Bala’ for Marathi film ‘Majha Bal’ in 1943. But her solo debut was in 1949 for ‘Raat Ki Raani`. She used to emulate Shamshad Begum in her early days and this song is a superb example of that.

Nanhe munhe bachche teri muthi mein kya hai (with Rafi)

Film: Boot Polish

Year: 1954

Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan

Lyricist: Shailendra

Raj Kapoor signed Asha Ji for ‘Boot Polish’, which started off her career. She sang several most of the songs in this movie including a solo ‘Saari duniya hai mujhpe diwani’, but ‘Nanhe Munne...’ remains the most popular song from the movie.

Maang ke saath tumhara (with Rafi)

Film: Naya Daur

Year: 1957

Music Director: OP Nayyar

Lyricist: Sahir Ludhiyanvi

With ‘Naya Daur’ Asha ji had her first break with O P Nayyar, who was mesmerised by her voice. ‘Naya Daur’ made sure that Asha ji in the lead with the likes of Lata Mangeshkar and Geeta Dutt.

Haal kaisa hai janab ka (with Kishore Kumar)

Film: Chalti ka Naam Gaadi

Year: 1958

Music Director: S D Burman

Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This song encapsulates the naughtiness that Asha ji so effortlessly pulled off. Her USP was that she could act through her voice. This song was one of the first songs in a long list of duets with Kishore Kumar.

Nigahein milane ko ji chahta hai

Film: Dil hi to hai

Year: 1963

Music Director: Roshan

Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi

Asha ji did a lot of qawallis with many music composers. ‘Dil Hi to Hai’ is known for its many Hindustani classical music based songs. This qawalli shows how Asha ji sang any kind of song with so much ease.

Aage bhi jaane na tu

Film: Waqt

Year: 1965

Music Director: Ravi

Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi

60s saw the change of Asha Bhosle’s career. B R Chopra approached Asha ji after ‘Naya Daur’ for several movies like ‘Gumrah’, ‘Hamraaz’ and ‘Waqt’. This number from ‘Waqt’ is the most remembered track apart from `Ae meri zohra jabeen` in the multi-starrer featuring actors like Raj Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Nanda.

Jaiye aap kahan jayenge

Film: Mere Sanam

Year:1965

Music Director: O P Nayyar

Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

O P Nayyar made Asha Bhosle`s voice speak for itself. Asha ji didnt have to play second fiddle to Lata ji or Geeta ji because of the faith that O P sahab had on her. Asha ji became so popular with O P Nayyar that their rift in 70s broke many of her fans` hearts.

O mere sona re

Film: Teesri Manzil

Year: 1966

Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman

Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This movie catapulted Asha ji`s career sky high. She became a strong contender for the top slot with Lata ji. So much so that the duo didn`t let any other female voice take the center stage for the next 3 decades. Shammi Kapoor was so impressed by her voice that he would ask for her for any of his films.

Raat akeli hai

Film: Jewel thief

Year: 1967

Music Director: Sachin Dev Burman

Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

The flirtatious voice of Asha Bhosle crooned for Dev Anand in this Sachin Dev Burman composition. Her vocal range is fully utilised in this song that was picturised on Tanuja.

Piya tu... ab to aaja (With Rahul Dev Burman)

Film: Caravan

Year: 1971

Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman

Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This song broke all records. It defines Helen in her sexy cabaret avatar. Asha ji became the voice of Helen through this decade.

Dum maaro dum

Film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Year: 1971

Music Director: RD Burman

Lyricist: Anand Bakshi

If `Piya tu..` was sizzling, then `Dum Maaro Dum` was and is the anthem for the flower children in India. This song oozed the 1970`s hipster feel and is the song people remember 1970s by.

Chura liya

Film: Yaadon ki Baraat

Year:1973

Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman

Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri

No compilation of Asha Bhosle can ever be complete without this song. RD weaves his magic yet again in this beautiful track from `Yadon Ki Baraat`

Chain se humko kabhi aapne jeene na diya

Film: Pran Jaye par vachan na jaye

Year: 1974

Music Director: OP Nayyar

Lyricist: S H Bihari

One of her lesser known numbers, this song was awarded the Filmfare in 1974. Any Asha ji fan swears by this song being one of her best. This also is supposed to be Asha ji`s favourite.

Yeh mera dil pyar ka deewana

Film: Don

Year: 1978

Music Director: Kalyanji Anandji

Lyricist: Anjaan

This song is possibly one of the sexiest songs filmed on Helen. It was remade for the 2006 version of the original movie. The new song has been voiced by Sunidhi Chauhan who takes inspiration from Asha Ji.

In aankhon ki masti mein

Film: Umrao Jaan

1981

Music Director: Khayyam

Lyricist: Shahryar

In the iconic movie starring Rekha, Asha ji lent her voice to the diva playing the 19th century courtesan. All the songs from this movie are considered the best of the era, and won her the National Film Award for `Dil cheez kya hai`

Mera kuchh samaan

Year: 1988

Film: Ijazat

Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman

Lyricist: Gulzar

This song is possibly the favourite of all Gulzar fans. Interestingly, this song was criticised by Pancham for not having a lyrical quality. Apparently Asha ji sat in a corner reciting the song as she read it out from the piece of paper Pancham had thrown away. He, inspired by her recitation, asked her to sing it in the same open way, without rythm and much orchestra to back her.

Koi diya jale kahin

Dil Padosi Hai - Private album

Year: 1987

Music Director: Rahul Dev Burman

Lyricist: Gulzar

Rahul Dev Burman, Gulzar and Asha Bhosle came together in a rare collection of songs in a double album. The album had ghazals, soft modern music, as well as heavy classical numbers.

Rangeela re

Film: Rangeela

Year: 1995

Music Director: A R Rehman

Lyricist: Mehboob

The first time A R Rehman teamed up with Asha Bhosle for a memorable album. `Rangeela re` and `Tanha Tanha`changed the direction of Ram Gopal Verma and Urmila Matondkar`s career graph. It was supremely popular amongst the youth, and also marked Asha Ji`s comeback.

Kahin aag lage

Film: Taal

Year: 1999

Music Director: A R Rehman

Lyricist: Anand Bakshi

Asha ji had done several songs for Rehman. This `Taal` track filmed on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is still very popular for the composition as well as choreography by Shyamak Dawar.

Radha kaise na jale (with Udit Narayan)

Film: Lagaan

Year: 2001

Music Director: AR Rehman

Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

A R Rehman teamed up with Asha Bhosle again for the Oscar Nominated movie `Lagaan`. She won the IIFA Award for Best Female Playback for the song.

Kambakht ishq hai jo (with Sonu Nigam)

Music Director: Sandeep Chowta

Film: Pyar Tune Kya Kiya

Year: 2001

Lyricist: Nitin Raikwar

This passionate duet with Sonu Nigam and directed by Sandeep Chowta was a popular song among the young brigade in the early 2000s.

Sharara sharara

Film: Mere Yaar Ki Shadi Hai

Year: 2002

Music Director: Jeet – Pritam

Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

Asha Bhosle lent her voice to this sizzling number to Shamita Shetty. This remains Shamitas most remembered performance till date.

Kabhi to nazar milao (with Adnan Sami)

Kabhi to nazar milao - Private album

Year: 2005

Music Director: Adnan Sami

Lyricist: Riyaaz Ur, rahmaan Saagar

Adnan Sami was discovered by Asha ji and Pancham in London when he was ten. Asha ji sang the title duet with him for his best-seller `Kabhi To Nazar Milao` in 2005.

Chanda ki Bindiya

Film: Mai

Year: 2013

Music Director: Manoj Tapadia

Lyricist: Nithin R Shankar

`Mai`starred Asha Bhosle in the epynomous role. although, the movie did not do too well at the Box Office, she got critical acclaim and was lauded for her portrayal in the movie.

Compiled by: Aparna Mudi