At the doddering age of 70, my gray-haired granny read Hanuman Chalisa and chewed betelnuts all day. At an age when most look for a peaceful retired life and take evening walks with their grand-children in the neighbourhood park, this woman goes ahead and sings a seducing number such as ’’Kabakht Ishq’’. If you are trying to find old-age croaks and cackles in her voice then....quit it.. You ain’t gonna find any. This is Asha Bhosle for you....
Psychedelic, kaleidoscopic and the vibrant RD Burman extracted the most out of Asha (besides OP Nayyar). Oh Man! what a pair they made. Can you believe it, at the age of 50 Asha sang ’’Tu Rootha Toh Main Ro Doongi Sanam’’ for a 16 year girl, Neelam for the movie Jawani. And trust me.. she sounds 16. Their association goes way back to the 60’s, when she sang ’’O Mere Sona Re’’ for RD. Somewhere down the lane (years later), they got married and remained married until RD’s death. One reason why I never married any of my girlfriends coz’ none of them sang the way Asha did (I hope people who need this info are taking notes..I ain’t a villain).
RD and Asha’s songs ranged from peppy numbers such as ’’Jaane Jaan (Nisha)’’ to romantic numbers like Tu Tu Hai Wahi. I will give the peppy numbers a pass as I have already written two articles on RD’s dance numbers. I will probably stick to more romantic and melodious numbers this time. Not crucially in any order....
Nahin Nahin Abhi Nahin - Jawani Deewani: Sensuous and purple. Asha and Kishore are absolutely incredible in this number. RD makes use of saxophone in the background which adds to its erotic yet innocent ambience. Look out for the use of base guitars.
Catch Line: Bade woh ho, tum piya, zidd kyon nahin chhodte, haaan.. kaliyon ko, kilnese pehle nahin.. todte.
Chura Liya - Yaadon Ki Baraat: One the most popular numbers composed by Pancham, Chura Liya rocks. RD makes use of this peculiar sound at the beginning of the song. Asha and Rafi sing to precision backed up by some amazing guitar work by Bhupinder Singh.
Catch Line: Sajaoonga Lut Kar Bhi Tere Badan Ki Daali Ko, Lahu Jigar Doonga Haseen Labon Ki Laali Ko, Hai Wafaa Kya? Is Jahaan Ko, Ek Din Dikhla Doonga Main Deewana....
Pyar Ke Mod Pe - Parinda: This song is Asha all the way despite the presence of Suresh Wadkar. She simply steals the show. Lyrics by Khursheed Hallauri are worth a notice too. Also like the song ’’Tumse Milke’’ from this movie.
Tu Tu Hai Wahi - Yeh Waada Raha : I remember watching a third-rate remix video featuring 3 semi-clad females(?? not sure if they were clad at all) dancing to this number (+ incorporated with Robert Miles’s Fable). Damn.. what a shame. This song happens to be one of my all time romantic and this is what they do to this song. Asha and Kishore simply rock with this number. Accolades to RD on coming out with a brilliant number. (PS: My college band played this number at a college festival (in 97).. remember Senorita???)
Catch Line: Tujhe Main Jahaan Ki Nazar Se Chura Loon, Kahin Dil ke Kaune Mein Tujhko Chupa Loon
Ijaazat (All Songs): This movie features four songs and each one is a champion in its own. Katra Katra, Khaali Haath Shaam, Mera Kuch Saamaan and Choti Si Kahani. Its RD, Asha and Gulzar at their career best. Asha and Gulzar went on to win national awards and ironically RD was left out. One night me and my mates after getting drunk tried to infer what Gulzar meant by ’’Ek sau solah chaand ki raatein, ek tumhare kaandhe ka til’’. Its taken me years to understand what all these songs meant. And now I enjoy it more.
Catch Line: Dude.. Listen to the songs.. every line is a catch line...
Roz Roz Aankhon Tale - Jeeva: The song featured in one of those movies that flopped miserably during the late 80’s. RD Burman was at his career low during this time. People started to doubt his capabilities. Listen to this, you will know why he is a legend today. Gulzar’s deep and eloquent lyrics are simple fantastic. Asha and Amit Kumar render this beautiful number.
Catch Line: Choti si dil ki uljhan hai yeh suljha tum, jeena to seekha hai marke, marna sikha do tum... This particular line somehow manages to dampen my eyes.
Saaton Baar Bole Bansi - Dil Padosi Hai: Another combination od RD, Asha and Gulzar and this time its a private album called Dil Padosi Hai that released in the late 80’s. Overall, this album was really good but this song simply sells out of the rest. I also like the number Salona Sa Sajan’’.
Phir Se Aaiyo Badra Bidesi - Namkeen: Psychedelic and experimental in the real sense, Phir se aaiyon simply displays the versatality of RD. Sung by Asha and written by Gulzar, this number rocks..
Jaane Do Na - Saagar: WHOA... what a song. Composed in the same lines of Nahin Nahin Abhi Nahin, this number is probably the best of its kinds. It is erotic, it is sensuous, but it isn’t vulgar. Look out for the seductive voice of Asha. She sings a duet with Shailender Singh. The highlight of this number is the rhythm pattern. Its a fusion of Tabla and Drums.
Catch Line: Dil jaise karvaten badalta hai, mera toh saara tan jalta hai, armaan jo dil mein machalte hain, tan yun hi jalte pighalte hain.. Chuo na chuo na mujhe.. dekho chuooo na..LOL
Do Lafzon Ki Hai - The Great Gambler: Its romance all the way... the song is love ballad by Asha with some Italian lyrics incorporated.
Catch Line: Is zindagi ke din kitne kam hain, kitni hain khushiyan aur kitne gham hain .. lag jaa gale ke rutt hai suhaani, yaah hai mohabbat yah hai jawaani...