'MANY TIMES I FELT I WOULDN'T SURVIVE'

Music, like an ever flowing river, never ends, says Asha Bhosle.

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As she turns 90 on Friday, September 8, India’s singer for all times and ages could well be describing her own career that started an incredible eight decades ago.

“At the age of 90, I have to stand for three hours on stage and sing songs. I’m happy I can do this at this age,” Bhosle says, referring to her live concert in Dubai to celebrate her landmark birthday.

She sang her first film song Chala Chala Nav Bala for the Marathi film Majha Bal in 1943.

Eighty years and some 12,000 songs later, Ashaji is readying to hold the stage again, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Music, she said simply, is like breathing.

It wasn’t always easy, admits the singer.

“Hamari saans nahin hoti hai toh aadmi mar jata hai. Mere liye music meri saans hai (For me, music is my breath). I have spent my life with this thought. I have given a lot to music. I feel good I’ve come out of difficult times. Many times I felt I would not be able to survive, but I did,” Bhosle said.

From peppy numbers such as Piya Tu Ab To Aaja and O Haseena Zulfon

Walito soulful ghazals like Dil Cheez Kya Hai and the classical Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye, Ashaji has been the voice millions of Indians have tuned into day and night.

Versatile could well be her middle name.

Ever ready to experiment, her music has found popularity with international bands too. The Black Eyed Peas used the music of some of her songs. She also collaborated with Boy George and Stephen Lauscombe as well as with Australian cricketer Brett Lee.