My latest addiction is the sister of great South Asian superstar Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle.

Asha Bhosle & Lata Mangeshkar

Asha Bhosle is probably best known as a playback singer [the person who actually sings the vocals that an actor or actress later lip syncs over in the film] but is also considered one of the most versatile artists of her time, covering a myriad of genres from Indian Classical music, folk, Ghazal [6th century pre-Islamic Arabic style of verse] and Bhajan [sometimes called kirtan, it refers to a Hindu devotional song]. At 74, she has supposedly recorded more 12, 000 songs for over 950 Bollywood films and her own solo albums.

From Hare Rama Hare Krisha [1971]

[link]

Dum Maro Dum [Take Another Toke] - Asha Bhosle

Dum Maro Dum appears in the 1971 film Hare Rama Hare Krishna, a movie about the decadence and overindulgence of the hippie culture, the destructive aspects of drugs and the issues involved with Westernization, especially divorce. Heavy, no? The version I have included for download is a little bit slower and sounds aged which I find quite pleasant. I think it adds more character to the track.

From Caravan [1971]

[link]

Piya Tu Ab To Aaja [My Love, Come To Me] - Asha Bhosle

This track is the jam and Helen Khan, the iconic Hindi actress, is clearly jamming. The version in the video is nearly identical to the track I’ve provided for download aside from the length. I love the tempo, the syncopation and especially the choice to use human breath as an instrument way before Bjork. The jam!