I once heard someone say that Newton forgot to except one person from the application of his law of gravity, "What goes up, must come down". Asha Bhosle came into this world and said "DEFY YOU!" and thus spilled the truth. Indeed, the law "what goes up, must come down" JUST CAN NOT be applied to Asha Bhosle since everything in her case is just rise and rise more and yet rise again. Indeed one of the people who walk on earth just once and can never ever be imitated. Asha ji once said Music is like my breathing. The day it stops, my breath will stop too. There is so much to do and I'm afraid there is very little time left. I hope I can continue singing in my next birth."
The very first live concert I attended was the "Asha Bhosle Live at Flint Center" which is located at De Anza College, Cupertino California. Without a second thought, I bought a VIP ticket and these were the best $150 I ever spent in my life. I sat just few feet away from Asha ji and lost myself in time. She stood before me, wearing an enchanting and scintillating black saaree studded with rare diamonds and carried an ageless face with the most subtle composure and sang before me, in that God-like voice, the songs of my soul. An experience, rather; an experience full of transcendence which transported me to the era I never lived through, but experienced through the soulful, love nurtured and passionately composed music. Yes, the music of R D Burman. Asha ji's soul mate and the indefatigable man behind the most exuberant, exclusive, versatile and immortal melodies. He pushed the limits of her singing capabilities and proved to be the the sculptor thereby creating from her voice, various forms of songs. Ghazals, cabaret songs, pop music, raagas; what is it that this duo did not create? The inimitable Asha Bhosle and R D Burman. Asha ji dedicated the concert to the music of R D Burman and sang some of the most soul enchanting songs which were a fruit of the collaboration of this unbeatable duo.
The energy with which she danced, performed, sang, narrated anecdotes would put any other 76 year old to shame. "Age" can never be applied to this super human lady.
I had been collecting rare vinyl records ever since I was a teen-ager and this was my chance to get some of those rarities autographed by her. Too bad that the ruthless organizers did not let me meet her. Nevertheless, I was extremely determined to meet her. I reached the hotel where she stayed and waited all day long for her to return from her San Francisco trip. The wait proved fruitful; there she was, standing before me. The feeling I have while typing this article is inexplicable since this happened merely 90 minutes ago. We spoke a bit and shared few moments together. I narrated to her in Marathi, the deepest love I had for her and her music and she gladly signed my records with my name on them in Marathi. Her simplicity, easy going nature and humble nature left me spellbound. A celebrity with celestial number of achievements and success being so humble is more than rare. I can never run out of words for this Goddess of music.
These 2 days of Asha Bhosle in my life can never ever be forgotten by me.
=)
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