Mumbai, Oct 7 (NationPress) Iconic singer Asha Bhosle recently shared her childhood passion for films and music, explaining how her habit of mimicking singers at home helped define her distinctive style.

She recounted her journey of exploring various vocal techniques and her admiration for English singer Carmen Miranda, emphasizing how these formative years were instrumental in her legendary singing career. In a previous interview with Waves OTT, Asha described her childhood joy of watching films and listening to songs, leading her to imitate the artists she looked up to. This was a typical pastime in her family, but for her, it transformed into a foundational training experience.

She specifically highlighted Carmen Miranda, the vibrant Portuguese-Brazilian performer celebrated for her energetic shows and fruit-adorned hats. Despite her family's background in classical music, Asha attempted to replicate Carmen's style, recalling, “From a young age, I was captivated by films, songs, and the art of imitation. I tried to mirror the voice of a singer. This was a shared habit in our household, including myself. Let me tell you about an English singer named Carmen Miranda. She wore unusual outfits, with fruits on her head. My family is rooted in classical music, but when I performed this song at home, my mother thought I was channeling a ghost.”

“My mother would scold me. I’ll share that song with you. It played a significant role later on. I often sang this song at home. Years later, I had the chance to perform a song for Sir Ramchandraji. Despite my efforts, they weren’t impressed.”

Asha Bhosle continued, “So, I recalled that performer. I sang it during the recording, and everyone adored it. They asked me how I achieved that sound. I kept my inspiration from Carmen Miranda to myself. I consistently adapted my singing style. There was a phase when I performed Qawwali. I embraced that song wholeheartedly.”

Renowned for her extraordinary range, Asha Bhosle is celebrated as one of the finest voices in Hindi cinema. Over a career spanning more than eight decades, she has contributed her voice to films and albums across various Indian languages, earning numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards.

Bhosle will celebrate her 92nd birthday on September 8, 2025.