Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The golden notes she once scattered across the historic Soneri Mahal still echo in the hearts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, for when Asha Bhosle graced the city a decade ago for Kalasagar's silver jubilee concert, she didn't just sing; she left behind a memory that time simply refuses to silence.
Asha Bhosle, the legendary playback singer, was in the city to present 'Asha Bhosle Live Concert' organised by Kalasagar, the prominent culture organisation of the city.
The live concert was held at the historic Soneri Mahal in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada Univeristy in January 2016 as part of Kalasagar's silver jubilee.
She had mesmerised the audience with her eternal songs. Asha was accompanied by the evergreen actor and singer Sachin Pilgaonkar. The faces of the joyous audience showed that this was a grand and memorable concert for them. The melody of her songs was the same even though she was 82 at that time.
She began the live concert by singing the song "Aaiye Meherbaan, Baithiye Jaane Jaan" from the film Howrah Bridge. When news of her death spread, memories of that evening began to flash before the eyes of the city's music lovers.
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Aaiye Meherbaan, Baithiye Jaane Jaan
She stood on the stage at Soneri Mahal, looked out at a sea of adoring faces and had said, “Sometimes there are no words to say. Marathwadyatil Rasikanna Majha Pranam.”
She told the audience that she would sing her favourite songs. Asha began the programme with a song of legendary music composer and song writer O P Nayyar’s "Aaiye Meherbaan, Baithiye Jaane Jaan’ from Howrah Bridge (1958).
A decade later, the city mourns the passing of the nightingale Asha Bhosle; those very words ring truer than ever, because some presences are too vast for language, and some concerts too precious to ever truly end.
She had also presented songs like ‘Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani, O mere sonaa re, sonaa re sonaa, Jhumka Gira Re Bareli Ke Bazaar Mein, Dil Cheez Kya Hai, Aap meri Jaan Lijiye, Dum Maro Dum, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja.
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'Kalasagar' Coffee Table Book Launch
Legendary singer Asha Bhosle released a 'Coffee Table Book' brought out as part of Kalasagar's silver jubilee year. A procession carrying the book, accompanied by the playing of ‘tutari’ had reached in a purely Maharashtraian traditional style.
Lokmat's Co-Managing Director Rishi Darda, then union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, Kalasagar's Founder President Ashoo Darda, then President Anil Bhandari, Lokmat's Executive Director Karan Darda, and Kalasagar's then Secretary Sandesh Zambad were present.
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Asha’s visit to 'Lokmat Bhavan'
On the eve of the live concert, Asha Bhosle paid a goodwill visit to the Lokmat Bgavan, where a warm and candid conversation took place. During the visit, Lokmat's Editor-in-Chief Rajendra Darda gifted Asha the English edition 'Vibrant Vigrets' of his book 'Jhumber', based on his stay in London. Karan Darda was a witness to this memorable moment.