From Dhakuria Lakes to Hooghly ghats, Asha Bhosle took a trip down memory lane at Beyond Barriers XVI, the annual fund-raising programme of the St. Xavier’s College Calcutta Alumni Association (SXCCAA), in association with The Telegraph, on January 26.
The 83-year-old singer floored the audience with evergreen hits like Chura liya, Jete dao amay deko na, Jhumka gira re, In aankhon ki masti ke, Yeh mera dil... just like she had promised while taking the stage — “aaj main aapko woh gaane sunaungi, jo amar hai, songs which you will recognise just hearing the music!”
She not only sang and danced — boy, did she dance! — on stage but also shared many an anecdote.
Her Calcutta connect: Pancham (RD Burman) loved Calcutta. Main aur woh ya to Dhakuria Lake aur doosra Ganga ke kinare jaatey thhe…. One day we were sitting under a tree, munching muri, we sat there the entire evening till it became dark… taare tim timane lage, hawa chal rahi thi, nadi ka paani jaa raha tha, nao mein baithke nao chalane wale ghar ja rahey thhe... Pancham was sitting quietly, I did not disturb him because I understand an artiste’s mood. He suddenly said, ‘chalo ghar chalte hain’. And the song that he composed there went on to become a hit. I love that song, hope you like it too.... Do labzon ki hai dil ki kahaani...
Her secret wish: In films, I used to see how youngsters would come in their graduation robe and throw their black graduation hat high in the air. I used to feel sad that I could not attend college. I don’t know what college fun is. I got my first doctorate from Amravati University. When they informed me that I will be given a doctorate degree, the first thing I asked was, ‘Aapke pass topi hai kya?’. Only if you give me that hat, will I accept it (laughs). When I wore that hat and walked, I realised that god grants all our wishes even if it is late.
Sister love: We are five siblings—Lata, Meena, Usha, Hridaynath and me. People think that we are not close but when the five of us get together toh mutthi ban jaate hain. Our father used to teach us singing, mostly it was Didi (Lata), Meena and me. The other two were too small when our father passed away. One day I told Didi, main bari himmat karne wali hun, I will sing your songs, because singing your songs and trying to match your level needs daring.... Your voice, your songs, your words… mere bas ki baat nahin hai. Hearing this, Didi started laughing (Asha mimicked the Lata laugh and made the audience LOL).... Lag jaa gale...
“Asha Bhosle has a connection with St. Xavier’s too — all her children went to St. Xavier’s Mumbai! When I said it is a blessing that you are here, she said ‘no, no! I need your blessing’. We are lucky to have the legendary singer among us,” said Father Felix Raj, principal of St. Xavier’s College and president of SXCCAA.
