‘Cooking for my grandkids’

Andfor a singer whose career has spanned a whopping six decades and who has beenthe voice for nearly a thousand films, that���s one heck of a scrapbook ofmemories! She���s worked with everyone from R D Burman (of course!), O PNayyar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Naushad, Ravindra Jain, N Dutta, Hemant Kumar,Khayyam, S D Burman, Ilaiyaraja and even Shankar Jaikishan... but Ashataidismisses the fame, the deity-like respect with a disarmingly down-to-earthmanner. ���I always look towards the future,��� she said,���and don���t dwell too much on the past. I am a forward thinkingperson and like to be progressive.��� But does any birthday from the paststand out as a special memory? ���My 60th birthday was special. Punchamdawas there and my son planned a big surprise for me...��� she trailed off,smiling at the memory. Today is going to be a packed day, capped byan evening launch of a new album. Ashatai is a devotee of the Mount Mary. Is avisit to the church factored into her busy day? ���If I get time, I hope tovisit the church, light a candle and say a prayer,��� she wished. Thesedays, she dotes on her grandchildren. ���Cooking gives megreat joy. I love to see the smiles on their faces as they enjoy what I havemade for them,��� the songstress revealed. The highlight of her day will be���the togetherness with my family and the food, the biryani, that I willprepare for my grandchildren���.