Asha Bhosle turns 90: Legendary singer celebrates birthday with Broadway-style concert in Dubai

The special musical event, called Asha@90, is taking place today at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena

Asha Bhosle

Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle turned 90 today. In a career spanning more than 75 years, she has left an indelible mark on the world of Indian cinema, by lending her voice to more than 7,500 songs. To celebrate the day, Asha is taking the stage at a Broadway-style concert in Dubai, in which she’ll be paying her tribute to Bollywood legends.

Also read: Asha Bhosle addresses THE REASON why musicians are remixing old tracks these days

Asha@90 concert in Dubai

Asha typically spends her birthday with family and friends at home, avoiding extravagant celebrations. However, this year, she decided to embrace the extraordinary. “This birthday, however, is different. I shall be 90. I thought, what better way to turn 90 than to do a concert. I like doing extraordinary things. I decided to do a spectacular concert on my 90th birthday. I doubt if anyone in the world has achieved this feat,” she said in an interview with PTI. The special birthday concert, titled Asha@90 is taking place today (September 8) at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.

Featuring several dancers, other performers and technicians, Asha@90 promises to be an extravagant show. “I’ve never done a show on such a big scale. It is a special show. I didn’t plan to celebrate the birthday this way. My son and family members wanted it to be celebrated this way.”

An illustrious singing career

The legendary artiste - who won hearts with her romantic songs as much as her cabaret-style numbers in the 1960s and 70s - started her musical journey as a playback singer at the age of 10, in the 1943 Marathi film Majha Bal. She later sang her first Hindi song in the film Raat Ki Raani in 1949. Reflecting on her decades-long journey, Asha said, “The most difficult part of my musical journey was to consciously create my own identity. I never wanted to be a copy or clone of someone else. Today, I am pleased that my form of music is known as the ‘Asha Bhosle style’.”

Throughout her career, Asha has lent her voice to songs in different languages. Born into the renowned musical family of Deenanath Mangeshkar, Asha is the younger sister of the late Lata Mangeshkar. Apart from the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan, she has been honoured with two National Awards, four BFJA Awards, 18 Maharashtra State Film Awards, nine Filmfare Awards and two Grammy nominations.

Also read: Legendary singer Asha Bhosle conferred the prestigious ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ award

Some of her most popular songs include Saathi Haath Badhana, Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri, Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko O Haseena Zulfonwali, O Mere Sona Re, Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Aankhon Ke Masti Ke, Mera Kuch Saman and Radha Kaise Na Jale, among others.

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