New Delhi: Asha Bhonsle, fondly called Ashatai, perhaps the most versatile singer India has ever known, turns 88 today. There is nary a plaudit in the music world that has not come her way. From the time she sang her first song in 1948 till now, Ashatai has fitted beautifully into the music of every generation and even posed a challenge to upcoming artistes.
She has sung innumerable songs in most Indian regional languages in her chequered career and this includes Odia too. She recorded her last Odia song with her granddaughter Zanai in 2017.
Before that, she had lent her voice for ‘Jahna Go Tume Jhurana’ from Arati in 1981, she sang ‘Jhimi Jhimi Ta Maaja Dakile Na Chhadibu’ (1976) from Samaya, ‘Mu Hajichi Tuma Aakhire’ (1977) and ‘To Na re Pindhili Sadhi’ (1959) from Maa. She has also sung Bande Utkal Janani.
Let’s hear some of Ashatai’s songs sung in Odia:
Bhajan Manimaa
First Odia Jagannath Bhajan Manimaa. Produced by Devitosh Acharya and Creative Director by Avinash Nanda, Music Director Devitosh Acharya. Amara Muzik is the Official Music Label of Manimaa.
Bande Utkal Janani
Janha Go Tume Jhurana
Samabalpuri song