Asha Bhosle (b. 1933)
Singer born in Satara, Maharashtra. Trained by her father, Dinanath Mangeshkar. With her sister, Lata Mangeshkar, she dominated Indian film (playback) singing for more than three decades, releasing 20,000-plus songs in more than 14 languages. Introduced to film in Ravindra Dave’s Chunaria (1948). First solo number in Jagdish Sethi’s Raat Ki Rani (1949). Best-known early work with music director O.P. Nayyar, continuing Geeta Dutt’s singing style and borrowing from Latin American dance music as well as from North American big band pop featuring large brass sections. Two songs in 1957, Mister John (in Shankar Mukherjee’s Baarish) and Ina mina dika (in M.V. Raman’s Aasha) were landmarks in the Benny Goodman-style swing music pioneered by C. Ramchandra. The jazz influence was transformed into popular electronic music mainly through several 70s duets with Kishore Kumar, often composed by R.D. Burman. Remixed several Burman classics in a posthumous tribute, Rahul & I.