The ceteran singer was felicitated in city on Friday.
Singer Asha Bhosle expressed regret that while the Guinness Book of World Records had feted her as the most recorded artiste in music history, her own country had not accorded her with a similar salute.
Asha who recently entered the Guinness Book of World Records for singing a record 11,000 songs till the age of 60, was publicly felicitated at the Sambhaji Park in the city on Friday by the state deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a special programme titled, ‘Salam Asha’. The programme was organised by the city-based NCP MLA Anil Bhosale.
Speaking at the event, Asha said, “While my contribution to music has been acknowledged by foreigners, I have not got identical support in my own country. The Guinness Book record has made people take special notice of my work.’’
In a free and frank interaction with compere Sudhir Gadgil, Asha unraveled several nuggets from her life and even mimicked older sister Lata Mangeshkar. She had the audience on their feet, when she hummed a few lines from her memorable song: O Mere Sona Re Sona.
Asha could not control her emotions while her citation was being read. She said, “I have cried on stage for the first time in my life. The citation mentioned the struggle I had to go through. Singing four to five songs a day, I managed to sing 11,000 songs. I had to raise my children alone and hence, had little choice about my songs. I sang whatever came my way.’’
The singer credited Vishwas Nerurkar, the author of the book: ‘Swar-Asha’ for bringing her 11,000 songs under the spotlight. “Without the book, people would not have known that I had sung so many songs,’’ Asha said.
Getting nostalgic about Pune, Asha said, “We came to stay in Pune after my father’s drama company closed down. We used to stay on Laxmi Road opposite the Poona Guest House. Pune was very quiet and very conservative. I was very fond of Tulshibaug in those days and I still like to shop for brass and copper utensils in Tulshibaug. I also sang my first song in Pune.’’
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