Veteran playback singer Asha Bhosale was conferred the coveted “5th Yash Chopra Memorial National Award” at a function held in Mumbai late Friday.
Maharashtra Governor C V Rao gave away the award to Bhosale, which has been instituted in memory of legendary producer-director Yash Raj Chopra who died in October 2012.
The award - carrying a cash prize of Rs1mn and a gold bracelet - has been instituted by philanthropist and MP T Subbarami Reddy, in association with Anu Ranjan, president of Indian Televiation Academy, and Shashi Ranjan, chairman and managing director of ITA School of Performing Arts.
“Asha Bhosale is one of the most versatile playback singers who has sung different genres of songs such as ‘Lavni’, ghazals and pop songs with the same grace and perfection as she rendered devotional songs,” Rao said.
Paying tributes to her singing abilities, the governor described her as “India’s ambassador to the world of music” and lauded her for taking Indian music to the global stage.
In her reply, Bhosale recalled her long association with legendary Chopra whom she likened to “a younger brother”.
“It is unfortunate that he is not here any more. I was associated with him for nearly 50 years, even before he was married. Once I complimented him on his choice of songs and melodies and said his ‘ear for music’ has greatly improved with time,” she recalled.
“At that time, Chopra shared his secret with me, with a request not to tell anyone. He said actually it was his wife Pamela who decides the songs in the films. So I added, no wonder, your taste in music has only got better.”
Bhosale concluded her address and enthralled the audience with a rendition of a classic song from Yash Chopra’s blockbuster, Waqt” (1965) - Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu, Peeche Bhi Jaane Na Tu...”
Bollwood diva Rekha said she absolutely adores the Mangeshkar sisters who, among themselves, have sung nearly 90% of all the songs in Bollywood.
Veteran actress Rekha hugs Bollywood playback singer Asha Bhosale at the Yash Chopra Memorial Award in Mumbai.
