'I'm not a music director!'

Asha Bhosle. A giant in the world of Hindi film music, the eminently versatile singer has now launched Aap Ki Asha., her first album as composer.

Ruchi Sharma met the singer at the launch party of the album to learn more:

What prompted you to take a step as daunting as composing?

Actually, everyone around me, and the scores of people I have worked with in the past -- were confident about my abilities. They kept insisting I could do it and urged me towards this.

I had special encouragement from Vijay Lazarus (Chief, Universal and IMI),

I thought to myself, "Why not?" And the first step was taken.

How did people react to your compositions initially, and then later, as they slowly developed?

I sat down with my brother (Hridaynath Mangeshkar) and made him listen to my work.

He said, "Theek hai. Bura nahin hai, magar achcha bhi nahin hai. Theek hai." (It's okay. It's not bad, it's not good either. It's okay.)

After that, I simply worked harder. And those who have seen the results -- heard my work -- have liked it so far.

Now, the rest is up to the people.

Has your work been influenced in any way by all the music directors you have worked with?

Naturally. I have spent all my life with them and their music. Their influence will be there in every note.

Have you thought about music direction as a separate entity?

No. And I would request people never to think that way! This is just something I have attempted to see if I could do it.

I am not a music director, nor do I claim to be one.

Who is your music targetted at?

Music is music. It should have no target.

But I am very confident that the little children who like my work so much will love my compositions.

Photographs: Jewella Miranda

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Asha in song! Snapshots of the launch