asha.JPGToday Sep 8 2006 is Asha Bhosle’s birthday.

Her sister, Lata Mangeshkar is the more popular singer and known as the “Nightingale of India” but Asha-ji is my personal favorite. In fact, she is the one singer that I can buy an album unheard and know that I cannot go wrong.

Her trademark songs are youthful and exuberant with a touch of naughtiness, pop. She may be in old in age but she continues to dazzle in new types of music. In fact, she has recently released a new Ganesh rap album called Mangalmurti Ganesh.

I consider her a true rebel. She did what she wanted to without making a big fuss.

In her professional life, she didn’t just stick to the “singing type of the day” but sang all types of songs. In her personal life, she ran away and had a love marriage. Her relationship with RD Burman was also very different. They were married but lived in separate houses. She broke all conventional social norms of the day and lived as she pleased.

I have almost all her CDs and have had the pleasure of attending two of her concerts . She seems to be a humble, down-to-earth person who enjoys life.

For me, she is a true cultural ambassador winning people’s hearts all over the world with her melodious voice.