From ‘Chunariya’ to national award: Asha Bhosle’s enduring legacy

The song “In Aankhon Ki Masti” from the 1981 film *Umrao Jaan* earned Asha Bhosle the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer, cementing her place in Indian cinema history. Her personal life saw a brief marriage at sixteen to Ganpatrao Bhosle, which ended in divorce in 1960. In 1980 she wed celebrated composer R.D. Berman, staying together until his death in 1994. Across more than 70 years, Bhosle’s voice has defined countless soundtracks, earning her the reputation as one of the most versatile and prolific singers in the world.