Being a part of Womad 2016 was a great experience which would call for its own post - a mix of music, adventure and crazy (read Hangover-type) times. But the main attraction for us to be a part as a media was the performance of Asha Bhonsle. Interviewing her a couple of weeks before the concert she told me this will be her final NZ show ever and that made it a both happy and sad occasion.


To say that I have been a huge Asha Bhonsle fan would not be very correct but yes one has to really admire the legacy she has created over the years, over genres and generations. It was particularly very interesting to see what reaction she evokes from the non-Indian Womad crowd - a question that did get answered.



Asha Bhonsle, 83 was absolutely brilliant. As brilliant as you could imagine a legend at her age. I for one, also had in the my mind playing that she is also a mother whose daughter committed suicide. She was introduced as 'the most recorded artist' to a cheering crowd that had a considerable number of Indians present. For the next 75-odd minutes it was her crooning all the immortal songs across genres with the small breaks where her granddaughter Zanai Bhonsle sang and did some dance performances.


As for Asha Bhonsle's singing, it was truly flawless in-spite of two occasions where she lost a beat but then you would totally overlook it given that the legend is performing right in-front of your eyes. The playlist included Bollywood classics, ghazals and a Lavani. The RD Burman tunes were kept for the last and it really pumped up the crowd.


Then the legend walked. There was a tear in her eyes for it was her final walk back from the stage.


I on a media and photographer pass witnessed the whole concert from the stage-wing and while walking back there were some non-Indian crowd talking to themselves that even though they did not understand the language, the 'grooves were so addictive'. I kept walking with a smile, for Asha Bhonsle and also for the great RD Burman whose tunes 40-odd years down thrilled the global audience who heard them for the very first time.