Asha Bhonsle comes full circle

From the original Naya Daur to its coloured avatar, she still rocks.

With the coloured version of the 1957 classic Naya Daur all set to hit theatres in August, one can't help but note that although most of the stars of the film have faded into celluloid history, one of them remains as bright and twinkling as before — Asha Bhonsle.

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Her career took off with this film that was based on the industrial revolution and is as rocking today as she was then. The difference is that in 1957 she was singing classical-based songs like ude jab jab zulfein and today she croons jazz-based numbers like huzoor-e-alaa'in Madhur Bhandarkar's Page 3.

The doyen of Indian music, Bhonsle is well known for her versatility but the artist has a different shade to her personality too. Two years ago, she refused to speak to the press because she was upset with the remarks made by a leading newspaper. But this incident was easily forgotten and the nightingale is back on the headlines of the same publication. This small incident just hints at the temperamental nature of the enchantress.

But well… stars are known for their kiss and make-up tales.

Why did this Grammy Award nominee regularly receive chocolates from Helen? Read more...

Bhonsle is the undisputed queen of playback singing. She has sung almost all genre of songs. From cabaret numbers to sad songs; be it

bhajans

,

ghazals

or pop songs, she has conquered almost every domain of singing.

The versatility of her voice and talent have been acknowledged through a host of awards conferred on her. She has bagged the National Award twice, the Filmfare Award eight times and finally the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.

Of course, there are umpteen number of other awards conferred by the state governments. She is also the first Indian singer to have been nominated for a Grammy Award.