Asha Bhosle Birthday Special: Throwback to the Legend’s Special Yet Tumultuous Relationship With OP Nayyar

Asha Bhosle who was born on September 8, 1933 in Goar, Sangli is the original diva of Indian music industry. Born to Late Deenanath Mangeshkar and his Gujarati wife, Shevanti she moved with her family to Mumbai after the demise of their father, who was a known Marathi classical singer and actor. As children, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar were inseparable. But life had other plans for them. Everything changed after she married a much-elder Ganpatrao Bhosle who was an actor. The marriage was an emotionally abusive one. While she was keen to be a full-time homemaker, she needed to earn to provide for the family. One day, Ganpatrao Bhosle told her to leave the house with her two kids, while she was pregnant with a third, as he was suspicious about her.

Asha Bhosle and OP Nayyar's Collaboration

After 1965, Asha Bhosle and OP Nayyar became frequent collaborators as her singing career took off. He was one of the prolific musicians of that time. However, many singers did not wish to work with him as he had a terrible temper. Asha Bhosle and late OP Nayyar's journey of hit songs started from "Maang Ke Saath Tumhara" from Naya Daur (1957). Later on, they went to deliver hits like "Aaiye Meherbaan" (Howrah Bridge), "Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon" (Mere Sanam), "Aao Huzoor Tum Ko Sitaaron Mein" (Kismat) and more. Their friendship also deepened, and they reportedly began to live together. Late OP Nayyar was married to Saroj Nayyar who was a stage dancer. His alleged relationship with Asha Bhosle led to his estrangement from his family. They never kept any kind of contact with him. The late composer also said they should be barred from attending his funeral.

Siraj Khan wrote in his website about OP Nayyar how he was a keen follower of astrology and understood why his personal life was in such tumult. He said his relationship with Asha Bhosle was the best one of his life. In the website, Siraj Khan has quoted OP Nayyar as saying, "I can say that the most important person in my life was Asha. She was the best person I ever met. We were already working together since 1952 but got emotionally involved in 1959. It was on August 5, 1972 when we split and she walked away leaving a beautiful scar on my soul. We never stood under the same roof again and the feeling was mutual. As a woman, she was superb and very good to me." He regretted how he did lesser songs with Geeta Dutt due to his bias towards Asha Bhosle.

‘Chain Se Humko Kabhi’ From ‘Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye’ a Sad Reality

The alleged relationship of Asha Bhosle and OP Nayyar had further widened the rift between Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. They were not on talking terms any more. This caused the former a lot of distress. It is said that she blamed OP Nayyar for creating this distance. When Asha Bhosle left Ganpatrao Bhosle's home, Lata Mangeshkar had taken her back in the house. It seems the talented composer ended his relationship with Asha Bhosle overnight after Lata Mangeshkar had a word with him. This caused immense emotional turmoil. The song, "Chain Se Humko Kabhi" from Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974)  is said to be metaphoric for the pain and trauma that Asha Bhosle endured due to this separation. Even, late OP Nayyar's career went downhill after this separation. It seems he shifted his genius to another field - homeopathy and excelled in that as well.

She later married RD Burman but they could not live together for a long time due to his lifestyle.  Emotional abuse, severe heartbreak, failed marriages and death of loved ones, Asha Bhosle has endured, persevered and thrived in her passion. On her birthday, it is her spirit that we celebrate and shall continue to do so for years to come.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2024 08:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).