Every year, veteran singer Asha Bhosle opts for quiet family time over large celebrations for her birthday, and that’s precisely the plan for her 88th birthday on September 8. “I haven’t celebrated my birthday for plenty of years. Ghar mein simple sa hota hai mahul, aur bacche cake kaat lete hain. Party ya zyada kuch nahi hota. Birthday isn't a unique day for me. Hum toh buddhe hote hai us din. It is something that children celebrate,” confesses Bhosle, adding, “I celebrated my birthday once after I turned 75. We invited each singer I’ve worked with and share a near bond with. Uske baad, I requested my family to refrain from (throwing) a party. This year, I might be in Lonavala with my daughter-in-law and granddaughter.”
Walking down the reminiscence lane, Bhosle shares, “Earlier, I would spend my birthday withinside the recording studio. I remember many people from the industry, which includes Shankar–Jaikishan and RD Burman, would hold a recording on my birthday, phir sab milkar dhol, tashe, tabla bajate the.”
Ask her if the thought of retirement has crossed her mind, and the singer says no. “Just before the pandemic, I did three live shows. It was because of the Covid-19 crisis that many of my shows got cancelled. Pandemic mein toh puri duniya hi baith gai. I’m just waiting for things to get normal so that I can resume my live shows,” admits Bhosle.