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The iconic Asha Bhosle is now 90 years old. A voice that showed the world the depths and heights of emotions through her intensity and soulfulness had only one competition and that was from her elder sister –Lata Mangeshkar or Didi who was also called the Nightingale of India.
Since she was older Didi started her journey as a playback singer much earlier than Asha Bhosle and there have always been tales of their rivalries and differences. But oblivious to many there existed a deep bond and reverence in their relationship as Asha Bhosle continued to respect and love Didi as her elder sister.
Childhood bonding amid financial crisis
After the death of their father Master Dinanath Mangeshkar, Lata being the eldest had to work so that she could bring money and feed the family. Remembering those days, Ashaji during one of her interviews recalled that Didi used to earn Rs 80 and the entire family lived on that.
The legendary singer said, “We were 5 people, and we used to have many relatives who would visit us. Didi never said no to anyone, she used to believe in sharing. There were times we used to buy Kurmura (Puffed Rice) for 2 Annas and used to eat that with tea and sleep. We had no complaints, they were simply happy times."
Lata left the school for Asha
Both the sisters never had much experience of schooling because Lata had to start working at a very young age. But even before that, she had left the school. Narrating one such incident Ashaji said that being young she was not allowed to come inside the school with Lataji. However, Didi did not want to leave Asha alone at home, and from then on Didi stopped going to school.
When Lata acknowledged Asha’s singing
Asha and Lata have sung many duets but some of them are remembered fondly even today. One such song of the duo is from the film Utsav “Man Kyu beheka re beheka” shot on Rekha and Anuradha Patel. During the recording of the song when the two were standing side by side, after Asha Bhosle sang the second line with a new variation, Lataji immediately acknowledged it lowering her specs which to date has been carved on Ashaji’s heart.
‘Asha tu pehele Mangeshkar hai’
Asha Bhosle narrated some interesting facts about her bonding with Lata Mangeshkar in one of her appearances as a special guest on Indian Idol. Once when Ashaji was finding it difficult to record a particular song she went to Didi and said that she was not feeling confident about singing this particular song. Lata Mangeshkar motivated her by saying, “Asha tu pehele Mangeshkar hai” and that is why you will always sing well.
World tried to create a rift, Asha-Lata had the last laugh
Talking about sibling rivalry Asha Bhosle once said that people around them tried to create a rift between the two but they could never succeed. She said that many people tried to avoid her and give Lata Mangeshkar more importance during certain events just thinking that this way they could win over Didi. But after the event, both Asha and Lata used to laugh at such people as they could never break the bond between them.
