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Tribute to the versatile Asha Bhosle-Part 2

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Her songs with O P Nayyar, S D Burman, Ravi, N Dutta and R D Burman

8 September 1933 – 12 April 2026

In continuation of my tribute to the versatile Asha Bhosle, I am now writing about her great songs that she sung for those five music directors who were instrumental in shaping her career.

In Part 1, I listed her memorable songs for those music directors apart from   O P Nayyar, S D Burman, Ravi, N Dutta and R D Burman. In this part I shall write about the songs she sang for these five music directors who are generally considered to be the most important in shaping her career.  

O P Nayyar was the only music director who did not compose even a single song for her illustrious sister Lata but predominantly worked with Asha and in his early days , with Shamshad Begum and Geeta Dutt. S D Burman had a tiff with Lata for few years and during that period , composed many great songs for Asha . For N Dutta, Asha was always the preferred female playback singer. Unfortunately though he  was very talented , he  remained unlucky as far as major commercial success was considered, Similarly for Ravi also , Asha was more preferred female playback singer  than Lata , but he did compose some  great songs for Lata also. R D Burman and Asha is the most popular combination , well-known and well-documented.

The songs are arranged first music director-wise and then in chronological order of the year of the film, with song /film/year/music director/lyricist mentioned in that sequence.

Part 2 -Asha’s best for the her five main music directors

O P Nayyar

When it comes to Lata Mangeshkar’s  songs, it is always a great dilemma as to rank in whose  music direction she gave her best, but for Asha there cannot be any doubt. O P Nayyar truly gave her many masterpieces and although I have written about many of her songs with other music directors, the combination of OPN & Asha was unbeatable. They had a professional and personal relationship that ended in a bitter note ; this is also well-documented and I generally do not write about these aspects. O P Nayyar could extract the best out of Asha’s vocals and the solo songs and duets he composed for her are truly evergreen hits. I am giving here just a five representative sample . Numerically Asha might have sung 300 plus songs and almost more than 95% of them can be listed out!!

Jayiye Aap Kahan Jayenge-Mere Sanam-1965-Majrooh Sultanpuri

The intricate humming that Asha does in this song is something out of the world. For me this was Asha’s Mt Everest.

Huzurewala Jo Hogi Izazat-Yeh Raat  Phir Na Aayegi-1965-Aziz Kashmiri –(with Minoo Purushottam)

That typical dholak rhythm and orchestration of OPN and Asha’s trademark elegant singing-superb combination.

Aaj Koi Pyar Se-Sawan Ki Ghata-1966-S H Bihari

In many songs, OPN just needed a dholak, table, a sitar/sarangi/ santoor/guitar/accordion or sometimes even a simple harmonium to create those magical tunes -of course with the vocals of Rafi among male singers and Asha among female singers taking the song to a different level

Aao Huzur Tumko-Kismat-1968-Noor Devasi

Arguably, this could be Asha’s best cabaret-style song ever. Only OPN can compose a song that is sung in a totally intoxicated state with a classical touch. The beginning of this song , those hiccups by Asha are something tailor-made for her ;  no other singer can never even come close to her .

Chain Se Humko Kabhi-Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye-1973-S H Bihari

If only Asha got more songs like this, she would have become my personal favourite! What a superb composition and an equally soulful rendering by her. This was her last song for OPN and how apt the lyrics seem to be! Ironically this song was not included in the film version and we have only the audio. The link I have provided here says it is a live recording for Doordarshan ( I am not sure as the orchestration sound like the original) . One more well-known anecdote about this song is that Asha never came to receive the Filmfare award that was awarded for this and OPN took it on her behalf and people say he threw it away on the way home( not sure about the last part-some say he kept it for many years in his house) . Forget all these stories-the song is something that touches deep into your soul. I feel glad that once I started writing blogs, I have been able to set aside my personal prejudices and appreciate all the great artists who made our film music immemorable.

S D Burman

S D Burman initially worked a lot with Shamshad Begum and Geeta Dutt and Asha got to sing for him in the early 50’s.  Like many other composers of those times, for SDB also Lata was a preferred singer. Towards the end of 50’s and till early 60’s , there was a mis-understanding between SDB and Lata and the two did not work together and it was during that period Asha got to sing some of her memorable songs for the senior Burman. Most of the songs Asha sang for SDB were outstanding , with a wide range of songs from the poignant Ab Ke Baras Bhej Bhaiyya Ko Babul to a typical cabaret style Raat Akeli Hai. I have given just a few samples here.

Oh Panchi Pyare-Bandini-1963-Shailendra

From the film Bandini, I have listed two songs here-what contrasting styles of singing by Asha in these two. While ‘Oh Panchi Pyare’ has Asha in her ebullient best, in ‘Ab Ke Baras Bhej Bhaiyya’ shows how she can excel equally in pathos.

Ab Ke Baras Bhej Bhaiyya Ko Babul- Bandini-1963-Shailendra

Dekhne Mein Bhola Hai-Bambai Ka Babu-1960-Majrooh Sultanpuri

Inspired from a Telugu folk song, SDB composed this popular song with a very catchy rhythm and Asha sang it in her usual style.

Kali Ghata Chaye Mora Jiya Tarsaye-Sujata-1959-Majrooh

An intricate composition that does full justice to the vocal skills of Asha.

Raat Akeli Hai-Jewel Thief-1967-Majrooh Sultanpuri

This could be an SDB tune , but the orchestration appears to be that of his son, R D Burman. Songs like these define Asha’s unique style.

Ravi Shankar Sharma ( Ravi)

Many music connoisseurs may not consider Ravi in the same league as the big five-Naushad, C Ramachandra, Shankar Jaikishan, S D Burman  and O P Nayyar , but he definitely deserves to be considered among the top ten or fifteen music composers in Hindi films. His tunes had that great simplicity and were mostly sweet  melodies. It is a pity that Asha never talked much about this simple music director, who gave her some of her career best songs.

Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu-Waqt-1965-Sahir Ludhianvi

Although a very lengthy song (more than 5 minutes) , the powerful lyrics of Sahir, the mesmerizing tune of Ravi and evocative rendering by Asha will never bore you. All-time masterpiece of Asha.

Tora Man Darpan Khelaye-Kaajal-1965-Sahir Ludhianvi

One of the most popular bhajan in films, this song shows the versatility of Asha in the devotional genre.

Mere Bhaiyya Mere Chanda- Kaajal-1965-Sahir Ludhianvi

From the same film Kajal, this song about brother-sister bonding is an eternal favourite during the Raksha Bandhan festival.

Dil Ki Kahani Rang Layee Hai-Chaudvin Ka Chand-1960-Shakeel Badayuni

This has that typical Ravi’s dholak beats that is his signature style. Asha effortlessly renders the twists and turns in the song.

Uljhan Suljhe Na-Dhund-1973-Sahir Ludhianvi

Ravi came out with a unique combination of piano with that typical dholak -tabla rhythm pattern and that makes it a very catchy song. The piano accompanies Asha throughout the song.

Dutta Naik (N Dutta)

Dutta Naik was a very talented music director , but like many other music directors remained unlucky. Popularly known as N Dutta , he got to work in some of the BR films (  produced by B R Chopra) and that gave him some exposure to big banner films. For him, Asha was always the preferred female playback singer and he gave her many sober songs . Among the top music directors who shaped Asha’s career, he remained the most under-rated . I have listed just three songs here to provide a glimpse of his best compositions for Asha; his duets are even more popular.

Mein Jab Bhi Akeli Hoti-Dharmaputra-1961-Sahir Ludhianvi

This could be considered among the top ten songs of Asha- she has sung this in a very soft tone, adding those special emphasis in certain phrases , making this so nice to hear despite being a 6+ min long .

Tang Aa Chuke Hain-Light House-1958-Sahir Ludhianvi

It is very rare in films to hear the same lyrics taken for two different films. In the  1957  classic film  Pyasa, we heard this first in the golden voice of Mohammad Rafi , set in a recital style composition by S D Burman. Rafi had that exceptional skill in elevating even a recital into a masterpiece. Later this was also set to tune by N Dutta for the film Light House , this time as a proper song and some lines different from the earlier version. Asha has also rendered this nicely.  

Pyar Hi Mujhe Darkaar Hai-Didi-1958-Sahir Ludhianvi

A rare one, not heard much , but it has the typical N Dutta’s touch of class and equally Asha’s evocative singing.

R D Burman

After her earlier marriage with Ganpatrao Bhosle failed, Asha married the music composer Rahul Dev Burman in 1980, almost after 20 years.

Their professional association started much earlier and together they gave some of the most popular , peppy songs that is followed by a majority of music lovers . Personally I am not a big fan of the songs that a majority have hyped -as I said , music taste is highly personal. But , yes -some of the songs from this team were too good. I have given only a few here.

Piya Tu Ab To aaja-Caravan-1971-Majrooh Sultanpuri-with R D Burman

The quintessential Asha song that remains popular to this day , with RDB adding that special ‘panting humming’ . Orchestration by RDB is simply outstanding in this song.

Jab Tak Rahe Tan Mein Jiya-Samadhi-1972-Majrooh Sultanpuri

This may not be a very popular song, but the tune , orchestration and Asha’s singing are top class-personally I like songs like this from this pair instead of the much-hyped Mera Kuch Samaan Tumhare Paas!

Do Lafzon Ki Hai-The Great Gambler-1979-Anand Bakshi-With dialogues by Amitabh Bachhan, Sharad Kumar

Without any doubt this is the best song from this pair. Picturised in  the canals of Venice , the way Asha has sung this , full of energy and emotions is truly great.

Katra Katra Milti Hai-Ijaazat-1987-Gulzar

RDB was well-known for his innovative music arrangements and recording techniques. Here he uses two tracks and super-imposes them to create a rippling effect. Ijaazat film had all four songs by Asha-the well known Mere Kuch Saaman ( somehow it is not my personal favourite as the lyrics were over hyped and even fetched a National award for Gulzar and Asha!) , Choti Si Kahani Se and Khali Haath Sham Aayi.

I do not know whether I could do some justice to the rich repertoire of Asha with her top music directors-maybe someone who is a hard-core fan might have done a better selection. I tried my best and hope to come back later on this topic with some of her great duets at a later date.

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:

I sincerely thank the publishers of following  Internet sources   for the information that I could gather for this article:

  1. You Tube
  2. Wikipedia

The songs mentioned are from the popular, public domain and have been embedded here   only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. The photograph is taken from the internet, duly recognizing the full copyrights for the same to the  original creator or the site where they were originally displayed .This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.

Hindi film songs

Tribute to the versatile Asha Bhosle-Part 1

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8 September 1933 – 12 April 2026

Part 1 -Asha’s best for the ‘ other ‘ music directors

For me,  Asha Bhosle, who , unfortunately passed away on 12th April , 2026 at the ripe age of 92 years is a singer who may not be among my top favourites, but I do like many of her exceptional songs. Music taste  is highly individualistic  and for me some singers have that quality to leave a great  impact whereas  some I admire only for their skill but may not be personally moved by their singing. Asha Bhosle , for me , belongs to the latter category. As a blogger, however,  it is my duty is to record the contribution of all , irrespective of personal likes and dislikes.

The story of Asha Bhosle , second child of Deenanath Mangeshkar and Shevanti and the younger sister of the nightingale , Lata Mangeshkar is well chronicled and so I would not like to write about that. Media, Internet and most of the private radio stations have given excellent coverage on certain artists , conveniently forgetting numerous other deserving artists.  So here I would focus on few of the songs Asha had rendered in an inimitable style that only she could do.

I will try to cover her landmark songs for not only the five main music directors for whom she gave her best ( O P Nayyar, S D Burman, Ravi, N Dutta and R D Burman) but also many others who are generally not talked about when it comes to Asha’s best songs. One more surprising aspect about her was that she herself very rarely acknowledged the contribution of  all these music directors except  her late husband -R D Burman.

As a singer Asha was without any doubt exceptional. She  could sing a cabaret number, devotional song, qawwali, a romantic one, sad song all with equal finesse. When it came to the classical genre, sometimes she even outdid her more illustrious sister, Lata.

I will categorize her great songs in two parts-Part 1 shall have her songs for music directors other than the top five who shaped her career and Part 2 shall focus on her songs for those top five music directors. For now I shall list only her solo songs , except for few songs where there is a co-singer but on the whole it is predominantly her song. Maybe in the future  I shall also write about her duets.

The songs are arranged first music director-wise ( for a change I am not doing this chronologically, but in alphabetical order of the music director name) with song /film/year/music director/lyricist mentioned in that sequence.

Hemant Kumar

Meri Baat Rahi Mere Man Mein-Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam -1962-Shakeel Badayuni

One of my very favourite songs of Asha , this has that typical haunting melody effect of a Hemant Kumar  composition. The film had many gems from Geeta Dutt , but Asha rendered two masterpieces-this one and the next song I have listed here-Sakhiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahin.

Sakhiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahi- Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam -1962-Shakeel Badayuni

When compared to many mediocre songs that are talked about in a great manner by Asha’s fans, it is  surprising why songs like this are almost forgotten . She has sung this with her typical flair and one more favourite of mine.

Jaidev Varma

Nadinare Na Jao Payyan Padoon-Mujhe Jeene Do -1963-Traditional

Jaidev was a genius composer who never had any ‘ favourite’ singers as such and could extract the best from all the singers he had worked with. This is an intricate composition in his inimitable style and who else but the versatile Asha to do the honours. She traverses through the ups and downs of the tune with an ease that is natural to her.

Kalyanji Anandji

Yeh mera dil pyar ka deewana-Don-1978-Indeevar

A quintessential Asha song , picturised on Helen for whom she must have sung hundreds of such songs, this remains one of the most popular one. Kalyanji Anandji , in their second innings had many popular hits though the quality of their songs in 60’s were much better.

Khayyam

Justaju Jiski Thi Usko Toh Na-Umrao Jaan-1981-Shahriyar

It is a well-documented fact that Khayyam made Asha sing at a slightly lower pitch than her usual and that elevated the songs of Umrao Jaan to a great level. Though Dil Cheez Kya Hai is more popular, my personal favourite is this one. Superb lyrics by Shahriyar.

Dil Cheez Kya Hai-Umrao Jaan-1981-Shahriyar

A true masterpiece by Asha, that needs no introduction or write up. One has to close the eyes and get immersed in its beauty.

Laxmikant Pyarelal

Koi Shehri Babu Dil-Loafer-1973-Anand Bakshi

A typical L-P composition that has their signature  percussion arrangement, this is a high-energy song that Asha carries off with her usual flair.

Madan Mohan

Whenever we take the name of Madan Mohan , only Lata’s immortal songs come to one’s mind. But there were some great songs that he composed for Asha also . The most popular one that everyone may remember is of course Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazaar Mein from Mera Saaya -of course I have listed that , but my personal favourites are Shok Nazar Ki Bijiliyan and a very sober and rare Sabah Se Yeh Keh Do.

Shok Nazar Ki Bijliyan-Woh Kaun Thi?-1964-Raja Mehdi Ali Khan

Madan Mohan was always ahead of his times when he composed some unique songs -this has a very , what one may call,  a quirky interlude . In the midst of Lata’s eternal masterpieces like Lag Jaa Gale, Jo Humne Daastan Apni Sunayee and Naina Barse Rimjhim , this Asha number might have remain hidden , but it is a true hidden gem.

Saba Se Yeh Kehdo-Bank Manager-1959-Jalal Malihabadi

Madan Mohan was a master of melodies and Asha was fortunate to get such a sober and sweet song from him. The lyrics by a relatively lesser-known Jalal Malihabadi are equally good.

Juhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazaar-Mera Saaya-1966-Raja Mehdi Ali Khan

Some songs do not need anything to be written about- a song that has been composed only for Asha-will remain one among her topmost songs.

Naushad

Daiya Re Daiya-Leader-1964-Shakeel Badayuni-With humming by Rafi

Naushad and Asha may be a very rare combination , but when it comes to classical based songs, both are masters-and with Rafi adding only those brief alaap pieces, this is a great song from Naushad for Asha.

Ramlal

Tere Khayalon Mein Hum-Geet Gaya Patharon Ne-1964-Hasrat Jaipuri

It is truly difficult to rank a particular song as ‘the best’ of an artist, but if you ask me , personally I would rate this as Asha’s lifetime top song. Composed by a brilliant composer who , unfortunately never got his fame, Ramlal had two great films -Sehra and Geet Gaya Patharon Ne and with just these two films he made his mark. The general public may not remember his name but serious music connoisseurs definitely recognize his talent. This Asha song is truly a haunting , excellent melody, composed brilliantly by Ramlal and sung with equal brilliance by Asha. I always do not understand why the  so-called fans of Asha completely ignore masterpieces  like this and keep glorifying many of her mediocre songs. 

Ravindra Jain

Sajna Hai Mujhe-Saudagar-1973-Ravindra Jain

Ravindra Jain promoted many new singers , but whenever he composed songs for the sisters -Lata and Asha , they were great hits. The way Asha carries the song through with many twists and turns is amazing.

Roshan

Nigahen Milane Ko Jee Chahta Hai-Dil Hi To Hai-1963-Sahir Ludhianvi

If there has to be a slot for the topmost qawwali by a female playback singer , this could easily take the cake. It is songs like these that truly represent the great talent of Asha and not the more-often hyped about songs in the popular domain. I may keep repeating this thought , but that is how it is! Doing full justice to the excellent qawwali that Roshan was a master of , each every line sung by Asha is something no other singer can come close to.

Shankar Jaikishan

Pan Khaye Sayyan Hamaro-Teesri Kasam-1966-Shailendra

When it comes to Shankar Jaikishan ( my all time personal favourites and whom I considered as true emperors of Hindi film music) , Asha may not have been their first choice of female playback singer but whenever they composed for her , they were songs of high energy that was hallmark of SJ. This one from Teesri Kasam is typical of SJ & Asha!

Haye Gajab Kahin Tara Tootha-Teesri Kasam-1966-Shailendra

Teesri Kasam had SJ’s great compositions for Mukesh, Lata and Asha, not to forget a superb folksy Chalata Musafir for Manna Dey. SJ could come out with masterpieces even if they compose 8 to 10 songs for a film and that is the reason why they are the emperors. This song may not be as popular as Paan Khaye Sayyan but personally I like this even more.

Ustad Vilayat Khan

Ambar Ki Ek Paak Surahi-Kadambari-1975-Amrita Preetam

Ustad Vilayat Khan was a well-known classical Sitar maestro and ventured into composing for  film music only for three films. This song of Asha must be very rare for most of the listeners but somehow I rate this among the best of Asha.

A bonus song from Tamil!

Ilayaraja-Shenbagame Shenbagame-Enga Ooru Paattukaran-

Gangai Amaran

Normally I do not mix up a different language song in my blogs, but occasionally do make exceptions. With this one song, Asha made a great impact on the discerning Tamizh audience and the song was a super-hit . For most of the singers from the North , getting the accent while singing Tamizh songs is a challenge , but Asha got this perfect . With a great tune by the maestro Ilayaraja , I thought this could be the right song to complete this blog on Asha’s best for music directors other than the top five, that I will cover in Part 2.

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:

I sincerely thank the publishers of following  Internet sources   for the information that I could gather for this article:

  1. You Tube
  2. Wikipedia

The songs mentioned are from the popular, public domain and have been embedded here   only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. The photograph is taken from the internet, duly recognizing the full copyrights for the same to the  original creator or the site where they were originally displayed .This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.