Asha Bhosle’s old remarks about Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar have resurfaced after the legendary singer died in Mumbai on April 12 at the age of 92. She had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital following extreme exhaustion and a chest infection. Her last rites were held with full state honors at Shivaji Park on April 13. As tributes continue to pour in, in one of her interviews, she spoke about the two singers who made her feel nervous in the studio.
Asha Bhosle on Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar
According to Bombay Times, Asha Bhosle once said, “I’d never feel scared to sing with anyone except Didi (Lata Mangeshkar) and sometimes, Kishore da. I knew that he would do something different or something new in the song and iska mujhe jawab dena hai. Kishore and I’d often have this, ‘Tu apna taan bol, main dekhta hoon tu kya karti hain (You do your taan, and I’ll see how you respond)’. That’s how we’d sing.”She also spoke warmly about the bond she shared with them. “These were some amazing relationships. Relationships caught up in the complications of romance often break, but a pure bond lasts till the end. I shared a very pure bond with them),” she said. Recalling Kishore Kumar, she added, “When I listen to any Kishore da song, his image comes up right in front of me. I still remember how he’d laugh and make everyone else laugh. “Unka hasna bahut hi mashhoor tha (He was known for his laughter).”Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar became one of Hindi cinema’s most loved musical pairings, especially in songs composed by RD Burman. Their memorable tracks include ‘Chhod Do Aanchal’, ‘Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’, ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’ from ‘Caravan’, ‘O Sathi Chal’ from ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Tu Tu Hai Wahi’ from ‘Yeh Vaada Raha’, ‘Jaane Jaan Dhoondta Fir Raha’ from ‘Jawani Diwani’, ‘Aankhon Aankhon Mein Baat Hone Do’ from ‘Aankhon Aankhon Mein’, ‘Mil Gaya Humko Saathi Mil Gaya’ from ‘Hum Kisise Kum Nahin’, and ‘Aaj Rapat Jaayen To’ from ‘Namak Halaal’.
Asha Bhosle on sibling rivalry with Lata Mangeshkar
Talk of rivalry followed Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar for years, especially when Lata was already an established star, and Asha was still building her career. But Asha dismissed that narrative. She said, “People did carry tales and try to create trouble, but blood is thicker than water. I remember, sometimes both of us would be at a function and some industry types would ignore me and interact only with her, as if to prove their loyalty. Later, Didi and I would have a good laugh.”The sisters also recorded songs together, including ‘Main Chali Main Chali’ from ‘Padosan’ and ‘Chhap Tilak Sab’ from ‘Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki’.