Why did Asha Bhosle stop singing with R.D. Burman after "Guru"?

 Though Asha Bhosle started living separately in the late 80s mainly due to RD’s excessive alcohol consumption, they never stopped working together.

Firstly, the music composer of Guru (1989) was Bappi Lahiri and not R.D. Burman. After the mid-80s RD was less active as a singer.

He composed a non-film album titled, “Dil Padosi Hai” where Asha rendered all the songs written by Gulzar. The late 80s was a difficult professional phase for RD as he was getting fewer projects as a music composer. Still in 1989 itself, Asha sung four songs in Dost (music by R D Burman).

Also two songs in Parinda (Tumse Milke is still popular). In the 90s too, she rendered RD’s compositions in Indrajeet, Sarphira, Jhoothi Shaan, Gurudev and Gardish.

In fact RD even wanted Asha to sing in 1942- A Love Story but Asha couldn't as she was abroad on a tour. 1942- A Love Story was RD’s last film as he died six months before the film’s release.

Asha had rendered her voice in some of RD’s posthomous releases too. These include Janam Se Pehle, Professor Ki Padosan, Sautela Bhai and Ghatak.

Besides the above, Akshay Kumar starrer Zulmi (1999) also had a song composed by RD and rendered by Asha. The same with Mazhar Khan’s directorial debut, “Gang” which released in 2000.

Image(s) Courtesy: Google

What is the legacy of Asha Bhosle in the world of Indian music?

 We loved Asha Bhosle because she sang songs that we believed we could sing too.

I have heard my friends try singing “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko” and “Dum Maro Dum”. Sometimes after drinking a peg or two to gain confidence, but often without. They couldn’t pull it off, but they thought they did.

None of my friends ever tried singing Lata Mangeshkar’s “Raina Beeti Jaaye” or “Oh Sajna Barkha Bahaar Aayi”. We knew such songs were out of our league.

Asha Bhosle started in the shadow of her elder sister. She had a very difficult first marriage - a love marriage at the age of 16 when she eloped against her family’s wishes. She had to return to her maternal home later.

But she found a way back to build a long and successful career full of variety and fun. I am happy for her that she led a full life.

Is success possible without failure?

 

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle’s (1933–2026) life had many ups and downs.

She went through many personal setbacks.

Childhood : Asha Bhosle was born to Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, a classical music exponent.

Sadly, he passed away ; when she was barely nine years old.

This music prodigy was raised by his elder sister Lata Mangeshkar amidst poverty.

Singer : She sang her first song at the age of ten for a marathi movie.

She dabbled into hindi cinema as a singer in 1948.

Marriage : In 1949 , married Ganpat Rao Bhosle , her personal secretary.

Her maternal family severed all ties with her.

Her husband was nearly twenty years older than him.

This marriage turned out to be a failure and she went through abusive behavior.

Acceptance : 1960, her maternal family accepted her as she had no where to go.

She was pregnant with her third child and in a poor state.

Her husband had allegedly thrown her out.

Singer : She soon restarted her career as a playback singer.

She sang genres rejected by established female singers such as Lata Mangeshkar.

Her cabaret and rock songs became quite popular among youth.

Censured : But, many of these songs were banned by All India Radio and Doordarshan.

She also had to face public backlash for singing controversial lyrics.

Asha Bhosle sang them out of sheer financial necessity.

Rift : Down the line ; she had a rift with Lata Mangeshkar.

Well, Asha Bhosle had became a popular choice of famous music director OP Nayyar.

Lata Mangeshkar allegedly didn’t like her personal closeness with OP Nayyar, a married man.

No wonder, she soon broke all ties with him.

RD Burman : She soon became popular choice of RD Burman ,a prodigious music director.

She sang some of the best songs penned by Gulzar for him.

They both became close and married in 1980.

Interestingly , RD Burman was six years younger to her.

Tragedies : Alas, RD Burman died in 1994.

For years , he was dealing with depression and cardiovascular disease.

In 2012 , her elder daughter Varsha Bhosle committed suicide at her residence.

This known news paper- magazine columnist was dealing with clinical depression.

In 2015, her eldest son Hemant Bhosle died of Cancer.

He was a known musician- singer.

Soon, Asha Bhosle got involved in a serious property issue with his wife.

In 2022, her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar died at the age of 92.

Health : Gradually , age related problems hampered her musical career.

Like many elders, it did impact her active social life.

Fact : Asha Bhosle survived personal tragedies and failures with serenity.

Well : “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” : Confucius

Prayer : Asha Bhosle ji departed on 12th April 2026 at the age of 91 . Om Shanti !

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

What are some of unknown facts about Asha Bhosle?

1. Asha Bhosle was born in Sangli, now in Maharashtra on September 8, 1933. Her real name was Asha Mangeshkar.
2. She was the third among five siblings.
3. Her father, Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar was a renowned classical singer and stage actor.
4. Her mother Shevanti was Pandit Dinanath’s second wife.
5. Famous for her popular cabaret playbacks, she won her first National Award for ghazals.
6. She is the sister of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.
7. At the age of 10, in 1943, Asha Bhosle sang her first song 'Chala Chala Nav Bala'. Both sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle began singing to support their family.
8. At the age of 16, in 1949, Asha Bhosle sang her first solo song for the movie Raat Ki Raani.
9. She married Ganpatrao Bhosle at the age of 16. The marriage didn't end well and after few years she returned her home with two children and pregnant with third child.
10. She continued singing and she gained popularity after singing 'Nanhe Munhe Bachche' with Mohammed Rafi.
11. She got many breaks with Rafi, R.D. Burman, Sachin Dev Burman etc. and became popular.
12. In 1960s and 1970, Ashaji became the voice of Bollywood actresses and dancers.
13. She married R.D. Burman in 1980. They were married for 14 years till Burman died in 1994.
14. One of her favourite songs of all times was composed by the Hooghly riverside.
15. In 2000, the Government of India honoured Asha Bhosle with Dadasaheb Phalke Award and later in 2008, she was awarded Padma Vibhushan.
16. She has travelled all over the world to perform in concerts as well as collaborating with musicians overseas.
17. She sang with famous musicians like Boy George for the song ‘Bow down mister’, collaborated with boy band Code Red.
18. She performed in 13 cities in the USA in a span of 20 days.
19. She had sold out concerts in Stockholm, Dubai, London, Canada and other countries.
20. Her song with Michael Stipe ‘The Way you Dream’, was featured in the movie Bulletproof Monk.
21. She also came together with Cricketer Brett Lee for his music debut in the song ‘You're the One for Me’ in 2006.
22. In 2011, Asha Bhosle was acknowledged officially by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most recorded artist.
23. She debuted in films in the year 2013 at the age of 79. She played the role of a mother in a Marathi film called 'Mai'.
24. She found an outlet for her creativity through her unique collaborations.
25. She was the first Indian singer to be nominated for a Grammy.
26. She won a Filmfare award for a playback song that was never picturised!
27. She received honorary degrees from University of Amaravati, University of Jalgaon and Jodhpur National University.
28. A skilled cook herself, she owns several restaurants across the world like in Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi,Qatar, Kuwait, and Birmingham and Manchester in UK.

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Sources:

https://www.thebetterindia.com/114711/asha-bhosle-birthday-little-known-facts-life/

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