Asha to relive her roots with live Pune concert after 15 years

Mumbai, Apr 6 (UNI) Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle will treat Puneites with her melodious and multi-faceted voice after a gap of 15 years with a live show 'Apli Asha' (Yours Asha) next week.

The versatile singer will pick some of her favourite numbers from over 900 film and light classical songs she has sung in Marathi during her chequered career at the concert to be held on April 15 at 1830 hrs at Ramanbagh High School grounds.

Addressing a press conference here, Asha said the show will feature only Marathi light classical and film songs. ''I am very sentimental about my show in Pune as I have spent my childhood in this city. Didi (Lata) has a hospital there built in our father's name while my brother Hridaynath lives in Pune,'' she said.

Asha said it was after a very long time that she was going to sing only Marathi songs on stage. ''My recent shows on the outskirts of Mumbai in Dombivali and Thane were in Hindi,'' she said.

She said her show will be unique and innovative. She will choose songs which will reflect her life and career journey in the last six decades. Noted anchor Sudhir Gadgil will interview her during the show. Asha said she will be accompanied by young singers Hrishikesh Ranade and Ravi Sathe.

Asha said Marathi-speaking audience was musically inclined and knowledgeable. ''I am looking forward to interacting with my fans in Pune,'' she said.

Asha said she plans to present more Marathi shows in future. ''I know my Marathi-speaking fans would want to hear more of me.'' Asha said stage appearance was very important during a live performance. ''Singing in a sitting posture is boring. I like to move around the stage and connect with people. The ambience for my show in Pune will be just like what it is for my Hindi shows in India and abroad,'' she said. ''Singers need to change with times while interacting with their fans.'' Speaking about her successful album 'Asha and Friends', Asha said earlier most of them like Urmila Matondkar were hestitant. ''But, now they enjoy singing and are even planning to bring out their own albums,'' she added.

UNI