Early Life and Family
Asha Bhosle was born on September 8, 1933, in Hubli, Karnataka, India. She is the younger sister of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Her father, Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar, was a classical singer and musician. Her mother, Shevanti, was a homemaker.
Bhosle began her musical training at a young age under her father’s guidance. She also learned classical dance and acting.
Career
Bhosle made her playback singing debut in 1943, at the age of 10, with the Marathi film “Ganesh Utsava”. She sang her first Hindi song in 1947, for the film “Majboor”.
Bhosle quickly rose to fame as one of the most popular playback singers in India. She has sung over 10,000 songs in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Assamese.
She has worked with some of the biggest composers in Indian cinema, including S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, Madan Mohan, and Khayyam. She has also sung for many of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and Shah Rukh Khan.
Bhosle has won numerous awards for her singing, including 6 National Film Awards, 24 Filmfare Awards, and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.
Personal Life
Bhosle was married to Ganpatrao Bhosle in 1949. They had two children, Hemant and Varsha. The couple divorced in 1960.
In 1980, Bhosle married R.D. Burman, a famous music director. They remained married until his death in 1994.
Bhosle is a strong advocate for women’s rights and social justice. She is also a philanthropist and has donated generously to various charities.
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Bhushan (1987)
- Padma Shri (1974)
- National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer (6 times)
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer (24 times)
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2000)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1998)
- Grammy Award nomination (2011)
Legacy
Asha Bhosle is one of the most popular and respected playback singers in India. She has had a long and illustrious career, and her songs have touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. She is a true legend of Indian music.