Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle has won the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2000.
The award, which is given for outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry, was announced in New Delhi on Thursday.
It carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a shawl and a Swarna Kamal.
The younger sister of melody queen Lata Mangeshkar, Asha has sung more than 12,000 songs in Hindi and various other Indian languages.
President K. R. Narayanan will confer the award on the ‘Junior Nightingale’ at a special function later.
The illustrious member of the musical Mangeshkar family has been an enduring presence on the Hindi film world, captivating crores with a voice redolent with youthful verve and seductive charm for over four decades.
Asha Bhosle began her musical career under the shadow of her ‘didi’. But in no time, Asha evolved a distinct style and carved her own niche in the world of film music.
It was the ‘King of musical Romance’ O.P. Nayyar who first spotted the talent in Asha. The O.P.-Asha team went on to give the Hindi film music innumerable hit songs that stood out for their exuberance and melody. So obsessed was Nayyar with Asha’s voice, that he never used the golden voice of legendary Lata!
The two other music directors who exploited the musical genius of Asha were S.D. Burman and his son R. D. Burman, whom she married later. The R.D.-Asha duo redefined the musical parameters with some unforgettable, peppy numbers.
Some of the musical gems immortalized by the fabulous Asha are : “Aankhonse jo utri hai dil mein”(Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon – O.P. Nayyar), “Jaayiye Aap kahan”(Mere Sanam—O.P. Nayyar), Shokh Nazar ki bijliyan(Who Kaun Thi—Madan Mohan), Ab Ke Baras (Bandini-S D Burman), Bagh Mein Kali Khili (Chand Aur Sooraj-Salil Chaudhury) Tohra Man darpan kehalaye(Kaajal - Ravi), Parde mein rehne do(Shikaar—Shanker Jaikishen), In Aankhon ki Masti mein(Umrao Jaan – Khayyam), Bhanwra bada nadaan hai(Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam—Hemant Kumar), Dum Maro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna-R D Burman), Chura liya hai thum ne jo dil ko(Yaadon ki Baarat—R.D. Burman), Tanha, tanha(Rangeela—A.R.Rahman) and Kambakht Ishq (Pyar Thune kya kiya—Sanjay Chowta).
Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle has won the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2000.