IndiaPost.com - Asha is coming

India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: On Sunday, April 27, as part of the 2007/2008 World Music series, the acclaimed playback singer Asha Bhosle will captivate audiences as she makes her debut at the prestigious Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Her appearance at WDCH is a rare opportunity to see a living legend. Bollywood playback singer Amit Kumar will be a special guest. In an exclusive email question and answer session Asha Bhosle converses with charm, eloquence, integrity and heart.

India Post: After five decades in the music business, who is your audience today?

Asha: Six decades actually. I suppose all those who have lived the journey with me all these years are my audience. Sometimes, I feel I have become an integral part of people's lives. I have been with them through thick and thin, in happiness and sorrow, right from their birth, through school, college, adulthood, marriage and old age. Now, though I see a lot of very young kids who come up to me with smiles on their faces. I enjoy this young audience.

IP: You mesmerize audiences in a six yard saree, diamonds and flowers? What is the magic?

Asha: First and foremost I am an Indian and saree is my national dress. I believe that it is the most elegant outfit for a lady and I feel comfortable in it. I have always worn a saree and will continue to do so and I think that audiences (especially international audiences) respect me for that. I love flowers and in India, women wear flowers in their hair on festive occasions.

For me a concert is a festive occasion and I bring this festivity to my performance with flowers in my hair. As far as diamonds are concerned, they are every woman's best friend! These are props that make me feel comfortable and then I perform with all my heart. Perhaps, that's the magic, as you call it…

IP: You are a grandmother, 75 years old. What inspires you to get onto a stage and perform before thousands?

A: I will only perform till there's a demand for me. The demand inspires me to perform. Also, there's no better high for a performer than performing in front of an audience. The immediate response is thrilling for any artist.

IP: Why are your songs immortal?

A: Great melodies, fabulous lyrics and a little bit of soul in the singing and presentation.

IP: Do you have a favorite song that you consider immortal?

A: I have sung over 13,000 songs and there are many in my armory that are immortal melodies. I can't name just one, but for the sake of your article, let me point out: "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko".

IP: Who is your favorite music director today? In the past?

A: Rahul Dev Burman will always remain my favorite - in the past, present and future.

IP: What do you do to keep your voice so young, supple and vibrant?

A: Vocal chord is a muscle and the same way that you lift weights to keep your body muscles intact, I practice music scales to keep the vocal chord strong and supple.

IP: Which film heroine do you think your voice suits best?

A: Madhubala, Asha Parekh, Urmila Matondkar, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Aishwarya Rai.

IP: You have sung in many languages, including Czech. How did this song come about?

A: I have not sung in Czech, though I have managed Russian. I was performing in Russia and thought it fun to perform a song in Russian.

IP: What is the difference in recording a song in those days and now?

A: Those days, recordings were performed live and in real time along with an orchestra, etc. Now, you sing on a track. It's like dubbing. There's no scope for improvisation because you are bound by the track. I prefer performing with a live band because then I can improvise and create something new every time, otherwise I will always sound the same.

IP: You started singing for films when you were ten years old. Describe your first experience in a studio.

A: I was so young, but then the young are also brave and foolhardy and ready to take on challenges which adults fear. So, I just performed the way a child would - without fear, apprehension or prejudice.

IP: Was it difficult to live in the shadow of elder sister Lata Mangeshkar in the early days of your career?

A: My sister and I are completely different. She has her own unique style. I admire her very much and she is my favorite singer.

IP: Cabaret singing, pop, classical, ghazal and bhajans-how do you reinvent yourself every time?

A: I love challenges and experimenting with different forms of music. There's not a style of song that I have not tried and fortunately my experiments have been successful so far.

IP: You have collaborated with Boy George, Michael Stipes, Sarah Brightman and others. What challenges did you face?

A: Like I said, I love new ideas and singing with International artistes is a welcome change. Like me, they too want to try something different. Music is an art form and it will stagnate if you don't recreate and present something new all the time. The only challenge I faced was singing in English, which is a language that I am not too familiar with.

IP: What was the impact of your collaboration with Kronos Quartet two years ago?

A: The Kronos album brought the music of Rahul Dev Burman to an international stage. The album received a Grammy Nomination and in my own way I fulfilled Rahul's dream of popularizing his music to a world audience.

IP: Whose music do you listen to?

A: I listen to all kinds of music. If the tune is good, I will listen to it. I hear world music, ghazals, film music, pop, etc.

IP: Will film songs always be an integral part of Indian films?

A: I think so.

IP: What do you think of today's Bollywood film music and singers?

A: They are presenting what is demanded of them. Whether it's good or bad is debatable. I think they are fulfilling what is required of them.

IP: What is your opinion of remixes of your songs by someone else?

A: Remixes are not bad if they are done tastefully, but I do not like most of the remixes being done nowadays and I especially do not like the vulgar music videos being made to promote these songs.

IP: Your children have not entered the music industry. Why?

A: My eldest son Hemant dabbled in music in his young days. My daughter Varsha preferred writing and follows the same profession as you. My youngest son Anand is a businessman and besides his other businesses, he is quite an expert in the music business as well, as he has handled my career, records and concerts for so many years.

IP: What are you working on now?

A: An album with Aamir Ghulam Ali (Ghulam Aliji's son), is ready for release any day.

IP: Have you become an entrepreneur in the restaurant business?

A: It started off as a hobby and pastime and developed into an international business. I'm happy the way it's taken off.

IP: Are you writing an autobiography?

A: It should be out sometime this year, provided I find the right publisher.