Asha Bhosle's life in pics

Legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle turns 77 today. Here's a look at her life in pics...

Asha Bhosle was born in the small hamlet of Goar in Sangli, Maharashtra, into the musical Marathi family of Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar - a theater actor and classical singer. When she was nine years old, her father died. The family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Mumbai.

Asha shares a very close relationship with her sister Lata Mangeshkar, who has been given the title of 'India's nightingale'.

At the time Asha began her career, prominent singers (including sister Lata) monopolised the projects for the singing voice of the 'heroine'. So Asha Bhosle became the voice for the vamps in Bollywood.

Her first bout of recognition came with the Dilip Kumar starrer <i>Sangdil</i> (1952), in which she sang the song <i>Dharti Se Door</i>.

Her first bout of recognition came with the Dilip Kumar starrer Sangdil (1952), in which she sang the song Dharti Se Door.

In 1954, Raj Kapoor signed her alongside Mohammad Rafi for the song <i>Nanhe Munne Bachche</i> in <i>Boot Polish</i>. This was a turning point in Asha's life.

In 1954, Raj Kapoor signed her alongside Mohammad Rafi for the song Nanhe Munne Bachche in Boot Polish. This was a turning point in Asha's life.

Asha also got a chance to work with Sachin Dev Burman in movies such as <i>Kaala Pani</i>, <i>Kaala Bazaar</i>, <i>Insaan Jaag Utha</i>, <i>Lajwanti</i>, <i>Sujata</i> and <i>Teen Deviyaan</i> (1965).

Asha also got a chance to work with Sachin Dev Burman in movies such as Kaala Pani, Kaala Bazaar, Insaan Jaag Utha, Lajwanti, Sujata and Teen Deviyaan (1965).

Asha also sang <i>Ab Ke Baras</i> in Bimal Roy's <i>Bandini</i> (1963). The seductive song <i>Raat Akeli Hai</i> from <i>Jewel Thief</i> (1967), picturised on Tanuja, became very popular.

Asha also sang Ab Ke Baras in Bimal Roy's Bandini (1963). The seductive song Raat Akeli Hai from Jewel Thief (1967), picturised on Tanuja, became very popular.

Music director OP Nayyar recognised Asha's talent and gave her a break in the movie <i>CID</i> (1956).

Music director OP Nayyar recognised Asha's talent and gave her a break in the movie CID (1956).

She got the chance to work with OP Nayyar again BR Chopra's <i>Naya Daur</i> (1957). Her duets with Rafi like <i>Maang Ke Saath Tumhara</i>, <i>Saathi Haath Badhana</i> and <i>Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri</i> became a huge hit.

She got the chance to work with OP Nayyar again BR Chopra's Naya Daur (1957). Her duets with Rafi like Maang Ke Saath Tumhara, Saathi Haath Badhana and Uden Jab Jab Zulfein Teri became a huge hit.

OP Nayyar and Asha Bhosle gave many hits together, but the two parted ways in the 1970s.

Asha worked with legendary music director RD Burman for the first time in <i>Teesri Manzil</i>.

Asha worked with legendary music director RD Burman for the first time in Teesri Manzil.

The songs <i>Aaja Aaja</i>, <i>O Haseena Zulfon Waali</i> and <i>O Mere Sona Re</i> became chartbuster.

The songs Aaja Aaja, O Haseena Zulfon Waali and O Mere Sona Re became chartbuster.

In the 70s Asha and Pancham gave many hits together like <i>Piya Tu Ab To Aaja</i>,<i> Dum Maro Dum</i>, <i>Duniya Mein Logon Ko</i> and <i>Chura Liya Hai Tumne</i> to name a few.

In the 70s Asha and Pancham gave many hits together like Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Dum Maro Dum, Duniya Mein Logon Ko and Chura Liya Hai Tumne to name a few.

Apart from these, Pancham and Asha also recorded subtle numbers for <i>Ijaazat</i>. All the songs from the movie like <i>Mera Kuch Saaman</i>, <i>Khaali Haath Shaam Aayi Hai</i> and <i>Katra Katra</i> became a rage.

Apart from these, Pancham and Asha also recorded subtle numbers for Ijaazat. All the songs from the movie like Mera Kuch Saaman, Khaali Haath Shaam Aayi Hai and Katra Katra became a rage.

Asha married Pancham in 1980.

Asha became the voice of Helen in the late 60s and early 70s. Some of the most popular songs by the two are <i>Piya Tu Ab To Aaja</I> (<i>Caravan</i>), <i>O Haseena Zulfon Wali</i> (<i>Teesri Manzil</i>), and <i>Yeh Mera Dil</i> (<i>Don</i>).

Asha became the voice of Helen in the late 60s and early 70s. Some of the most popular songs by the two are Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), O Haseena Zulfon Wali (Teesri Manzil), and Yeh Mera Dil (Don).

Asha started getting stereotyped as a cabaret singer. But the singer proved her critics wrong when she sang ghazals for the movie <i>Umrao Jaan</i>. <i>Dil Cheez Kya Hai</i> and <i>In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke</i> became very popular.

Asha started getting stereotyped as a cabaret singer. But the singer proved her critics wrong when she sang ghazals for the movie Umrao Jaan. Dil Cheez Kya Hai and In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke became very popular.

She even won a National Award for <i>Umrao Jaan</i>, whose music director was Khayyam.

She even won a National Award for Umrao Jaan, whose music director was Khayyam.

Asha's association with Khayyam dates back to the late 40s when the two worked together in <i>Biwi</i>. They later worked together again in <i>Dard</i> and <i>Phir Subah Hogi</i>.

Asha's association with Khayyam dates back to the late 40s when the two worked together in Biwi. They later worked together again in Dard and Phir Subah Hogi.

In 1995, a 62-year-old Asha Bhosle worked with AR Rahman for the first time in <i>Rangeela</i>. The songs <i>Tanha Tanha</i> and <i>Rangeela Re</i> won the hearts of the masses once again.

In 1995, a 62-year-old Asha Bhosle worked with AR Rahman for the first time in Rangeela. The songs Tanha Tanha and Rangeela Re won the hearts of the masses once again.

In 1997, Asha Bhosle received three awards for her pop 'comeback' album <i>Jaanam Samjha Karo</i>.

In 1997, Asha Bhosle received three awards for her pop 'comeback' album Jaanam Samjha Karo.

She was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2008.

Asha received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

Asha who has created tracks with Boy George, Robbie Williams and Australian cricketer Brett Lee, is all set to perform with iconic South American rock guitarist Carlos Santana.

The singer has also been extremely active on the social networking site - Twitter. Recently, her tweet 'Common Wealth games or people wealth games' garnered quite a buzz.