Dear all,

There is an Asha Bhonsle concert in Singapore (accompanied with Sudesh Bhosle) on Aug 13th. Does anyone have more info on it ? I'm planning to attend it. Anyone from Singapore interested ?

I hope she sings more of her old songs than her newer ones ... after all, the concert's titled "Aaiye Meherbaan" !!

Vivek

Ashaji's concert in Singapore
Date : 13th Aug, 2005
Troupe : Ashaji, Sudesh Bhonsle, Anupam Kher.

Dear all,

Just returned from attending my first ever concert of Asha-ji (and of any legend for that matter !). Before I begin with the concert proceedings, let me just say that I'm just thrilled to have got the opportunity to see Asha-ji perform LIVE. I was quite emotional when she appeared on stage and especially more so when she sang her parts in her duets with other legends, I sorely missed the presence of Rafisaab and Kishoreda to 'complete' the songs. Sudesh Bhonsle did his best, but nevertheless, an extra 'something' was sorely missing.

I'm just glad i could make it to attend Ashaji's concert (hope Lataji too can plan a concert here soon). I'm told that I had attended a Kishore - Lata concert at Bombay's Brouborne / Wankhede stadium in 83-84, but I was too young even to remember anything. I know there are quite a few HF-ers who do vivdly remember that they have attended concerts and more importantly, recognised the significance of the occasion while attending the concerts of the legends (specifically those in the 70's). I just wish I was a part of that elite group. But nevertheless, being within a distance of about 20 feet from the legend has made my day !!

Heres the sequence of events of how the concert unfolded :

Anupam Kher was the sutradhaar. He began by narrating his bachpan ki stories, cracking jokes, etc. and then introduced Sudesh Bhonsle.

Sudesh Bhonsle entered with 'Bachna Ae Haseenon', followed by 'Mere Mehboob Qayaamat Hogi'. This was followed by a medley of Amitabh numbers starting from 'Dekha Na Hai Re' to his latest ones from K3G and Baaghban. Incidentally, he was introduced as the voice of AB, which I thought was 'inaccurate'. Maybe the current voice of AB shd have been more appropriate. Sab HF ka nateeja hai ...main hamesha legends ke khayaal mein hi rehta hoon !!! khair..

Sudesh Bhonsle now 'introduced' Ashaji who entered with her version of 'Mera Naam Hai Asha' on the lines of 'Mera Naam Hai Shabnam' from Kati Patang. Dont know if she's sung it at her earlier concerts, I was hearing it for the first time.

Basically, the lyrics described her family, the competition she had to face to make her mark in the film industry, the ups and downs of her life, etc. The way she introduced her family was quite nice ... on the lines of 'Seeta Gita Anju Manju ..
Yaaaa... Madhu' .as...... 'Hriday Meena Usha Lata .... Aur.. Asha'. Although personally, didnt like her next list of competitors as 'Shamshad Geeta Zohra ..one more.... Aur... Lata'

Oh for the ladies .... Ashaji was wearing what seems to be her standard concert wear ..a white glittering sari and some white thread-like stuff hanging from her left (?) hand .. all of which changed to green post-interval. (sorry thats the best description a guy can give about clothes !!)

Ashaji then continued with Sharara Sharara. Towards the end, Anupam Kher came on stage to announce the presence of a distinguished bollywood actres amongst the audience ----- who was recognised even before entering the industry by virtue of being Kaifisab's daughter ---- Shaban Azmi. She then came on stage to speak a few words.

Ashaji then continued with Aayiyae Meherbaan, Chura Liya Hai, Poochho Na Yaar Kya Hua and Kambakht Ishq. Then Anupam Kher was invited on stage to join in with Ashaji for Dhal Gaya Din, Ho Gayi Shaam ! (Anupamji had a tough time following the beats in the Antara; all in pure fun, of course).

Sudesh Bhonsle now joined in for "Ye Raatein, Ye Mausam" and "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka". A half hour break was announced during which Ashaji met the various dignitaries who had come for the concert ----- Deputy PM of Singapore, High Commissioners of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia !!

Luckily, their refreshments were served in a small enclosure behind the section of the concert hall where i was seated. So managed to catch a very good and close glimpse of Ashaji (thats where the 20 feet came from...warna to I was more than 200 feet away !), Anupam Kher and Shabana Azmi.

Post - interval Sudesh Bhonsle started off with his mimicry items, including one for Anupam Kher !! Others were singing like Hemant Kumar and Kishore Kumar. Among actors were Asrani, Sanjeev Kumar and of course, Amitabh.

Then Asha-ji came on stage with a special request from Indian High Commissioner to sing in Tamil. Being unprepared, she managed to hum a few lines from Chandramukhi.. following which the crowd shouted for songs in Marathi... which she obliged with a few lines of 'Haath Naka Laavu Maazha Saadila". She also sang a few lines of a Bangla number, but I couldnt decipher the lyrics

Then she started off on a medley of old songs with aaja aaja, raat ke humsafar, dil cheez kya hai, in aankhon ki masti ke, aao huzoor tumko, raat akeli hai, abhi na jao chhodkar, nigaahein milaane ko, jhumka gira re, ye mera dil (don) and rounded it off with rangeela re.

Then Ashaji did some mimicry of artists like Lata (I have seen this in an earler concert too), Ghulam Ali and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan about how Adnan Sami wanted the other artists to sing 'Kabhi to Nazar Milao'.

The concert was finally rounded off with Sexy lips and piya tu. I didnt wait till the end and left as soon as she started piya tu..just to avoid the crowds ... aakhir waapas aakar 'KBC' bhi dekhna tha

Thats all guys .... hope to hear yr comments.. / views..

Vivek

PS : AR Rehman concert coming up next month .. at this rate.. i'll be a pauper soon !

Hi Vivek,

Great review! Im curious how she mimiced Nusrat Saab's style though. Any description?

thanks
-Manoneet

Thanks for reading through the post, Manoneet (nice name ),

Ashaji tried to mimic Nusratsaab by singing in the high pitches characteristic of his style of rendition, on the lines of his 'Dam-a-dam Mast Kalandar'.

Have been following your rare uploads in some of the legends forums ... Keep up the good work

Vivek

White thread like stuff??? Isn't that a diamond bracelet?
White changed to green? Ayyo!!! Men.

Great review Vivek. Feel like I just watched the concert. Is she doing more concerts in the neighbourhood or was it a single event?

Thank you.. It seems like a single concert, thats what I gather.



diamond bracelet ?? toh bracelet pe dhaage the ??! ya dhaagon mein diamonds ?!

ladies and their weird tastes !!

From the way the thing glitters I waould imagine it was all diamonds, bracelet, dhaage and all. Though could be wrong. Only seen her on TV na. But it is like a lucky charm with her. She always wears that a particular pendant according to her own admission.

U havent 'met' yr IDOL ???? Well me neither .... but then I was born a tad too late for that

Do try and attend a concert if possible....... though its tough in India .. with all the crowds.. its almost impossible to get a good glimpse of the performing artists..

Yesterday's concert was only 3/4th full !! We could actually come down a few levels in the auditorium to occupy the empty seats in the 'higher priced' sections .. which happened to be near the VIP lounges... and hence the 'darshan' ....

Same here. Born too late and born in the wrong place. Mumbai mein hoti to attend kar paati. Now even if I hear of a concert it is too late to get tickets. And until recently parents permission bhi nahin dete na. Cochin mein concerts kahan hote hain.
Do envy the older members of the forum who have not only seen most of the legends but have seen them perform at their prime.



As I said most often read of concerts as news items. Rarely know in advance to get tickets, arrange accommodation, book train tickets so on. Asha se milne ka sapna shayad sapna hi reh jayega.



How many hours was the show? In Mumbai I believe all shows have to stop before midnight or something.

Gosh.. basic info.. shd have included in the review itself

Concert was scheduled to be from 7:30 - 11:00. But 'as expected', the concert started around 8:15 and ended around midnight, with a 30 min break in between.

In Bombay, there was a 'rule' that concerts need to be wound up before midnight or something like that. Though no idea about the current status of the 'rule'.

I dont think there is any rule here as such, but I guess artists do try and pack up before midnight.