Ye kya jagah hai doston, ye kaunsa dayaar hai

Asha Bhonsle popularly known as Asha 'Tai' needs no introduction. Her voice cannot be confined to a certain type - sultry, sensuous, sombre, romantic, deep, soulful; the list is infinite. For many years, Asha's bold and sultry voice was considered perfect for the vamp or the 'other woman' characters, but not for the main heroine for whom Lata's voice was considered the only option. It was O P Nayyar who gave the opportunity to Asha Bhonsle and there has been no looking back since then. Her immensely popular collaborations with OP Nayyar, Pancham, Khayaam gave us masterpieces such as 'Jaaiye aap kahaan jaayenge', 'Abhi na jao chod ke', 'Do Lafzon ki hai', 'Piya tu ab to aaja' and many more.

Calling both sisters (Lata & Asha) as talented is like holding a candle to the sun. I don't think that there are any words to describe the contributions by both to our music. I have always believed that Ma Saraswati has herself blessed them both and with riyaaz and their individual styles, they continue to shine even in their 80's.

While Asha became the face of cabaret style or disco songs, I personally feel that she sounded at her best in songs  that expressed the melancholy, pain and longings of the female actor. Her voice had this depth that I always felt as lacking in Lata's voice (with no disrespect for the stalwart).

I am sharing few of my favourites on her birthday:

Ab ke baras - Bandini

Poignant  lyrics by Shailendra, sung with complete perfection by Asha Bhonsle in the very beautiful movie Bandini. The song talks of longing for the family, for the carefree times gone by. The quivers in her voice brought out the emotions so beautifully; whether it was a sad moment or a smile. It is a favourite of my mother and many a times I find her listening to this song, lost in the lanes of nostalgia.

अब के बरस भेजो भैया को बाबुल, सावन में लीजो बुलाये रे 

लौटेंगी जब मेरे बचपन की सखियाँ, दीजो सँदेसा भीजाये रे 

बैरन जवानी ने छीने खिलोने और मेरी गुड़िया चुराई 

बाबुल थी मैं तेरी नाज़ों की पाली, फिर क्यों हुई मैं परायी 

बीते रे जुग, कोई चिट्ठियां ना पाती, ना कोई नइहर से आये 

 

Aao Huzoor Tumko - Kismet

An absolute gem by OP Nayyar and Asha Bhonsle duo, this song is a fantastic representation of the quality of Asha's voice. She takes you on a journey of emotions ranging from longing to togetherness.  When I had first heard this song, I found it a bit weird as I could not figure out if it was a sad song or a love song only to realize the versatility of this number much later.There is no mistaking the sound of hiccups and its another song sung so smoothly by Asha Bhonsle :)

आओ हुज़ूर तुमको सितारों में ले चलूँ
दिल झूम जाए ऐसी बहारों में ले चलूँ
हमराज़, हमखयाल तो हो, हमनज़र बनो
तय होगा ज़िन्दगी का सफर हमसफ़र बनो
चाहत के उजले उजले नज़ारों में ले चलूँ,
दिल झूम जाए ऐसी बहारों में ले चलूँ

Chain se humko kabhi - Pran Jaaye Par Vachan na jaaye

What can one say about this song? It is considered THE best composition by O P Nayyar that also marked an end of their very popular association. It is one of those rare songs that never got released in the movie and yet became more popular than the rest of the soundtrack. What a tribute to the artist and his muse:

चैन से हमको कभी, आपने जीने न दिया 

ज़हर भी चाहा अगर पीना, तो पीने न दिया 

आपका ग़म जो इस दिल में दिन रात अगर होगा, 

सोच के ये दम घुटता है फिर कैसे गुज़र होगा 

काश न आती अपनी जुदाई, मौत ही आ जाती 

कोई बहाने चैन हमारी रूह तो पा जाती 

इक पल हँसना कभी दिल की लगी ने ना दिया 

Shokh nazar ki bijliyaan - Wo kaun thi

A highly melodious and romantic number, this song stood out in this soundtrack by Madan Mohan,  filled with gems such as 'Lag Ja Gale' and 'Jo humne daastan'. It was always interesting to see how filmmakers/music composers preferred Asha's voice whenever the situation or the song required a bold voice. In this case, it was the woman actor proposing in a not so subtle manner to the hero of the  movie - considered a bold move in the 1960's. I absolutely love the sultriness in Asha's voice and this song is a perfect representation of that quality.

While searching for the youtube version, I pleasantly came across an extra stanza which never made it to the recorded audio medium. Overjoyed to find it and am pasting that link here for those who love this song.

शोख नज़र की बिजलियाँ, दिल पे मेरे गिराए जा
मेरा ना कुछ ख्याल कर, तू यूँही मुस्कुराये जा
जाग उठी है आरज़ू, जैसे चिराग़ जल पड़े
अब तो वफ़ा की राह में हम तेरे साथ चल पड़े
चाहे हँसाये जा हमें, चाहे हमें रुलाये जा

Ye kya jagah hai doston - Umrao Jaan

There are innumerable beautiful melancholic songs in Hindi films but there is only one 'Ye Kya Jagah hai doston'. From the masterpiece soundtrack of Umaro Jaan by Khayyam sahab, this song is a powerhouse of emotions - poignant lyrics and a soulful rendition by Asha tai is a haunting expression to a life filled with unrequited love and longing for togetherness. It is not unusual to find your eyes tearing up while experiencing the crumbling hope in her quivering voice.

ये क्या जगह है दोस्तों, ये कौनसा दयार है 

हद-ए-निग़ाह तक जहां ग़ुबार ही ग़ुबार है 

ये किस मक़ाम पर हयात मुझको लेके आ गयी 

ना बस ख़ुशी पे है जहां, न ग़म पे इख़्तियार है 

बुला रहा है कौन, 

बुला रहा है कौन मुझको चिलमनों के उस तरफ़ 

मेरे लिए भी क्या कोई उदास बेक़रार है 

Share your favourite songs of Asha Tai. I could not decide one over another as it is  an endless list. I also wanted to include these and many more:

Justaju jiski thi - Umaro Jaan
Roz Roz Aankhon Tale - from Jeeva
Sapna mera toot gaya - from Khel Khel Mein
Jaane jaan dhoondta phir raha - Jawani Diwani
Mujhe gale se laga lo - from Aaj aur Kal
Mera kuch saaman - Ijaazat
Ye ladka haye allah - Hum Kisi se kum nahi
Na main dhan chahoon - Kala Bazaar
Do lafzon ki hai - Great Gambler
Sukh aur Dukh ke raaste - Hum Dono
Ye hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera - Mere humsafar
Raat akeli hai - Jewel Thief
Ghar jaayegi, tar jaayegi - Khushboo
Phir se aaiyo - Namkeen 
Bheeni bheeni bhor aayi - Vijeta