Her smile
makes the world go wow! The youthful effervescence of her voice is mind-blowing
and her enthusiasm is contagious. She is 87 years young and has a career
spanning over seven decades with over 1000 Hindi films, several private albums,
and is a Guinness Book world record holder as the most recorded artiste in
music history. Padma Vibhushan Asha Bhosle also has an amazing repertoire
of versatility ranging from Hindi film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans,
traditional Indian classical music, folk songs, qawwalis and Rabindra Sangeet
in over 20 Indian and foreign languages.
Yet, Asha Bhosle is an icon who keeps
reinventing herself. After launching her YouTube channel recently, Asha Bhosle
is now coming out with her show titled ‘Asha Ki Asha’. The show seems to be the
singer’s musical tribute to the world that gave her the adoration and adulation
that she very much deserves. And in this age and era of nepotism and musical
shows that thrive on drama more than talent, ‘Asha Ki Asha’ promises to be a
show to unearth real talent. “My only interest is in the singers’ musical
talent. It is not a show that will highlight his/her life.”
Asha Bhosle has always loved to see
talented youngsters get their due. “I’ve always referred young talents to
composers, but it is not always that they achieved their dreams.” But lockdown
brought with it the big idea. “One day, when I saw my granddaughter singing
online with friends and having a blast, it struck me that I could unearth real
talent through my YouTube and social media. Hence, I invite aspiring singers to
send me two-minute musical videos so that I can review and give a platform to
the best."
Asha Bhosle is very clear that
musical talent is all that she seeks. “I am looking for unique voices. The
right pitch and rhythm sense are a must. Looks, dancing talent, age, gender,
nationality – nothing matters. But those under 18 need parental consent.”
Also, what's more is that the chosen one will be blessed by Asha Bhosle with 1
lac rupees.
Asha Bhosle is humility personified.
She suggests that the song be recorded in a place with minimum external sound
interference before he/she uploads it on www.ashabhosle.com. The song has to be either
in English or Hindi, and the best talent will receive a certificate signed by
the ageless diva herself.
Considering that Asha Bhosle faced
the mic as a 10-year-old, she is looking forward to guiding many talented
youngsters to walk the same path that she did and let the world hear their
voice. “The set was very hot and I was singing for the first time, and to add
to that, I was acting as well. The temperature and the bright reflectors were
so disturbing and exhausting that I fainted.” Asha Bhosle got up and finished
the song. Today, she has one advise for youngsters before they pick up the mic
to sing for Asha Ki Asha. “This is not a look test. Focus on the song, the
pitch, the rhythm and the voice. Sing from your heart. Trust me, the future is
yours!”
