Lalit Pandit on early days with Asha Bhosle: ‘She used to hold my hand to help me stand on table to reach mic’ - Exclusive

The music industry mourns a great loss, as legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92. She touched millions of lives with her songs and left a legacy that will inspire generations to come. Those who worked closely with her feel as if a part of their life has been taken away with Asha ji’s demise. Yet, they find themselves fortunate enough to collaborate with such an artist whose art saw no bounds. Thus, as music composer Lalit Pandit paid a tribute to her, he said, “We are lucky that we saw her and got a chance to sit with her and work with her.”

“And you know such artists will never be born again. Lata ji herself used to say that Asha ji is a very versatile artist. There is no doubt about it. I feel that Asha ji has contributed a lot to our music. I think she has sung more of our (Jatin-Lalit) songs in her last period than for any other composers. ‘Khiladi,’ ‘Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha,’ ‘DDLJ,’ ‘Return of Jewel Thief,’ he added while speaking to us.

Lalit Pandit walks down memory lane and shares anecdotes from his childhood

Lalit Pandit’s association with Asha Bhosle can be traced back to his childhood days. He recalled, “We have a very old relationship with the Mangeshkar family. Hridaynathji had told me that she used to learn music from his father. And Asha ji used to say my siblings and I all used to come to her house. And I have sung songs with Asha ji in my childhood in films like ‘Parichay’ and ‘Apna Desh.’ We used to sing the chorus section in many films.”

He continued, “Asha ji had told me once that I was so short that she used to hold my hand to help me stand on the table to reach the mic.”

See More: Asha Bhosle Passes Away Updates

Lalit Pandit’s last call to Asha Bhosle

“I called her a few weeks ago. I came to know that she was not well. She picked up the phone herself, and it was a very long conversation,” said Lalit Pandit, recalling his last call with Asha Bhosle.

“I told her, I want to meet you; you are not well. It had been a year since I met her. The last time I saw her was at Shanmukhananda Hall, where she performed. We did not meet again after that,” he added.

Lalit Pandit says Asha Bhosle was like family

Further in the conversation, he shared, “We used to sing Asha ji's songs at every function. She was our family. And the happiest thing for us is that she used to come to the music room to rehearse every song. We used to keep the whole day free for her rehearsal because she used to sit and chat; she was a very lively lady. She was a very young-hearted lady.”

“Asha ji has left. I hope that Asha ji's blessings will always be on us. And on our family. And the love and guidance that I have received from her. I will be indebted to her for the rest of my life,” he concluded.Also See: Veteran singer Asha Bhosle passes away at age 92 - Check Live Updates

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