OUR family was an ardent listener of film songs broadcast by Radio Ceylon during its peak years in the 1950s and ’60s. We would hardly miss listening to Binaca Geet Mala’s weekly hit parade of popular songs from the recently released movies. In 1960, a song was repeatedly played on Radio Ceylon on listeners’ request. Saz Bajta Rahe, Raqs Hota Rahe — penned by Rajinder Krishen for Modern Girl — which generated feelings that were quite enchanting. This is how we came to know about the enormous talent of Asha Bhosle, who was an upcoming playback singer of Bollywood at the time. With her passing away last week, at the age of 92, a whole era has come to an end.

Earlier, Asha had sung a beautiful duet Piya, Piya, Piya Mora Jiya Pukare with Kishore Kumar for the movie Baap Re Baap in 1955, but the versatility of her talent was established beyond debate with that Modern Girl solo. Asha had a unique charm in her voice, which was fully utilised to great advantage by an equally unusual and exceptional composer, O.P. Nayyar. He never engaged Asha’s elder sister, the iconic Lata Mangeshkar, for any of his songs, but had a great passion for Asha. Nayyar believed that his compositions could not be delivered in a female voice any better than did Asha. She sang 324 of his compositions, including Aaiye Meharban in Howrah Bridge, Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera in Mere Sanam, Zara Haule Haule Chalo Mere Sajna in Sawan Ki Ghata; and Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon, a duet with Muhammad Rafi in Ek Musafir Ek Hasina.

Asha demonstrated her talent for ghazal singing as well, and nobody can ever forget her rendition of masterly compositions of Khayyam in Umrao Jaan , like Dil Cheez Kya Hai and Inn Aakhon Ki Masti Ke. Asha married composer R.D. Burman, popularly known as Panchamda, and together they gave superhits like Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne for the film Yaadon Ki Baarat and Piya Tu Ab To Aaja for Caravan. Asha Bhosle’s legacy will remain unmatchable for a long time to come.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026