Even at 75, she sings like a dream: Nitin Shankar

Nitin Shankar has composed music for Asha Bhosle’s album Precious Platinum which has nine songs by the chanteuse. Chesta Wadhwani chats up the composer.

Nitin Shankar has composed music for Asha Bhosle’s album Precious Platinum which has nine songs by the chanteuse. These include a couple of romantic ballads and an upbeat folk song. The composer’s grandfather was a family friend of the Mangeshkar family. And Nitin has helmed the orchestra for the asli AB’s live performances for the last six years.

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Excerpts from a talk with the composer:

Has age made a difference to Asha Bhosle’s voice?
Even at 75, she sings like a dream. There is this crazy energy on the stage and it spreads like wild fire. The audiences can’t help but join in. I am indebted to her for choosing me for her platinum album.

Your previous album had R D Burman’s songs rearranged.. how well did you know him?
I was the lead piano player for Panchamda’s 1942: A Love story, Gardish, Drohi, Gurudev and many other movies.

Your music score for recent films like Bombay to Goa and Nehle Pe Dehla Mahima didn’t do well..
Yes, I will admit that they didn’t. Bappida (Lahiri) sang a number for me in Bombay To Goa. I am quite happy about that.

On her birthday, tell me, which of Ashaji’s songs are your favourite?
Oh God! There are too many to tell. Let’s see.. Aaj ki raat koi aane ko hai (Anamika), Piya baawri (Khoobsurat) and the title song of Yeh vaada raha.