दसों दिशाओं में एक आशा !

Suresh Kulkarni | 16th Mar 2024

When you have a Chief Risk Officer of a Finance Company presenting his set of songs, one would expect him to present a set of songs which are time tested on the popularity meter. If that same person also happens to be a Business Intelligence and Data Analyst specialist, then you would also expect a set of songs to be deeply researched into. Well, Suresh Kulkarni took the risk of choosing rare songs (with a few exceptions) but his deep research and analysis proved to be attraction of his presentation. 

As the title suggests, many moods of Asha Bhosle was his theme and I empathize with his difficulty of choosing 10 songs from the oeuvre of work of the Diva which runs into thousands of songs ... equivalent of lifting the "Shiv Dhanush" as Suresh himself put it, in his introduction to his PMP. 

So, here's his pick of 10 songs of various moods of Asha with 10 different composers as a tribute to the lady who stood shoulder to shoulder with his elder illustrious sister. 

1. Sakhi Ri Sun Boli from the film Miss Mary was the only duet (with Lata Mangeshkar) in this presentation. Perhaps symbolic of the times we note that on the screen actress Meena Kumari (for whom Lata lends her voice) is coaching a student (for whom Asha lends her voice). A challenging song for Asha and Suresh rightly says that she matches Lata "taan" for "taan". This song was chosen for the Classical style of its creation. 
   
2. Suresh mentioned that O P Nayyar should be credited for bring Asha to the center stage and I certainly agree. He picked up Jadugar Saanwariya from the film Dhake Ki Malmal as a song to showcase the unique association between a creative composer and his muse. This folk rhythm-based song sees Asha excel in her voice modulation. Suresh must be complimented for resisting the temptation to pick up among the several other popular songs of the two artistes. Suresh chose this as his romantic flavor 
   
3. For a tinge of sorrow and despair, Suresh chose the song Jab Tumne Mohabbat Chheen Li from the film Amanat as the 3rd showcase and this is a Salil Chowdhury composition. Given the popular perception that Salilda preferred Lata for rendering his compositions, very brave of Suresh to choose Salilda in an Asha presentation. A magnificent piano based prelude leads to the Mukhda in which the first two syllables are in distinctly low and high pitch and Asha glides through them with ease. 
   
4. Next came a devotional mood with the song Aali Ri Mere Maina from a Non-film album of Asha. Again, a genre which is largely the territory of the elder sister, there are enough songs which Asha has rendered in the film and non-film space. This Meerabai bhajan has another version by Lata but this one, a Jaidev composition is a supreme one in grace and devotion. A lovely choice in a genre not often spoken of Asha Bhosle 
   
5. How can an Asha Bhosle playlist be complete with a R D Burman composition. Throw in Gulzar into the combination and you surely have a classic. Suresh picks up a classical-devotional genre song Mere Angna Aaye Hain from the film Naram Garam. An unlikely song in a comedy movie Naram Garam, the song never fails to captivate you no matter how many times you listen to it.
   
6. Pavan More Angna Mein from the film Shehnai is a "loree" which Suresh picks up to showcase yet another mood of Asha Bhosle. The composition of Ravi, who arguably gave Asha songs which were as unique as the ones given by O P Nayyar and R D Burman.
   
7. As if to shake up the listeners from slipping into a slumber, Suresh picks up a Club song next. Parwanon Ki Raah Mein from the film Hariyali Aur Raasta is the surprise choice for a club song, given the plethora of songs in this genre that she has sung for many composers. Shankar-Jaikishan would be least recollected composers for a Club song of Asha Bhosle. This one was WOW !!... slipped out of public memory, truly a rare find. Well done Suresh for this choice!!
   
8. Nikle They Kahan from the film Bahu Begum is the choice for a Mujra genre. This space arguably is owned by Asha and in this song she proves why. One of the few songs in the songs which escaped the tag FTH - First Time Heard. On a side note, Helen's moves in a mujra are silken and for someone who was famous for western club dances, she does a fabulous job.
   
9. Some combinations of Singer + Composer + Lyricist are absolute magic and in the Marathi Films space, Asha Bhosle + Sudhir Phadke + GD Madgulkar fits this description. Jeevalaga, Kadhi Re Yeshil Tu from the Marathi film Suvasini is a song that needs no understanding of the language despite its emphasis on the four seasons of the nature that it speaks about as the woman awaits her beloved. Each antara is in a different Raga and is an all-time classic!!
   
10. Suresh closes the show with a Ghazal of Asha Bhosle Salona Sa Sajan from the Non-Film album Meraj -E – Ghazal. A delectable composition, Asha creates the right mood and fervor that is expected in the Ghazal genre. A nice way to finish off the presentation. 

Asha Bhosle is a living legend, whose presence we sometimes seem to take for granted. Despite some obvious misses like Khayyam, Madan Mohan and SD Burman, I salute Suresh for being brave enough to pick up rare songs which sometimes don't go down well with the audiences of a MP/PMP. In his profession he must have done this job of picking up or picking out risks. Here too he did a great job of picking up his songs :)