An Unexpected Encounter with a Musical Icon
In the year 2010, I received a unique request to teach French conversational skills to a pair of nine-year-old twins. Upon arriving at the designated address and ringing the bell, I was greeted by an elderly lady dressed in a pastel sari, who was humming softly while making calls from a landline telephone. The moment I heard her voice, I froze in recognition—it was unmistakably the legendary Asha Bhosle.
A Family Introduction and Marathi Connections
As I stood there, all ears, Anuja Bhosle emerged and warmly introduced me, saying, 'Hello Miss. Meet my mother-in-law Asha Bhosle.' Overwhelmed, I blurted out in Marathi, 'My aunts have worked with you. Rekha and Chitra.' Asha-tai's eyes gleamed with delight as she recalled them as heroines in Marathi cinema during the 1950s. She inquired affectionately, 'How are Kumud and Kusum?' I was tickled to hear their real names after so many years, feeling an instant connection.
Joyful Lessons with the Twins
Soon, two joyous children, Zanai and Ranjai, bounded into the room, and we commenced our French lessons. Throughout, Ashatai kept enquiring about my aunts, showing a genuine interest in family ties. She expressed a desire to learn the French alphabet and write her name in French, leaving me torn between behaving like a strict teacher or an admiring fangirl in her presence.
Daily Glimpses of a Star's Routine
The twins would be deep in their studies when their grandmother would march in from a routine day at work, adorned in a printed sari and sunglasses. Pausing to chat with us before heading inside, she would joke lightheartedly, 'This teacher is very strict. Study well!' She often spoke Bangla with the children's friend, mesmerizing me with her multilingual charm and down-to-earth demeanor.
Festive Moments and Culinary Secrets
During Christmas, as we sang 'Jingle Bells' in French, Ashatai appeared and began tapping her foot to the rhythm. I scribbled the lyrics of 'Vive le vent!' in Devanagari script, and she joyfully joined in the festivities. Our conversations often drifted to Marathi cinema, where she fondly recalled picking up my aunts in her car for recordings. Once, I had the privilege of tasting her chicken curry—a creamy and delicious dish. When I asked if it contained coconut milk, she shared her secret: it was made with just milk, not coconut. Another day, she offered, 'Do you want chicken sandwiches?' After my hesitation, she said, 'I'm craving some, let's order from Candies.' We relished them over casual chitchat. I would always bring my favourite kheerkodom for her, and she would remark that no one prepares this delicacy quite like the Bengalis.
Mentoring and Artistic Passion
One day, I witnessed something truly priceless. Zanai was rehearsing a lively children's song about rain for a film, and Ashatai was mentoring her intently. She cajoled Zanai to visualize the choreography on the big screen, demonstrating how to feel the rhythm and pour joy into every word, showcasing her deep artistic insight and nurturing spirit.
An Exclusive French Interview
When Alliance Française asked me to interview the 'cabaret queen' for their magazine, Ashatai agreed immediately. I asked her which language she preferred—Marathi, Hindi, or English—and she retorted with a smile, 'I speak only French!' The interview brought alive vivid memories of Paris, including visits to the Louvre, appreciation of Impressionism, and lunch at the Eiffel Tower. She expressed her love for 'Gigi,' a film based on Colette's novella, the fragrances of L'Occitane, Can-Can performances, and the French language itself. She wanted her grandchildren to speak French, calling it 'the world's sweetest language'—a fitting description from the lady with the sweetest voice. She smacked her lips while recalling the croissants at Gaylord, and I later learned about her deep connection with gastronomy through her Indian fine-dining restaurants, Asha's. I witnessed firsthand her passion for cooking and feeding people, which added a rich layer to her persona.
A Parisian Adventure and Family Bonds
Our reverie ended with a flourish as she shared an anecdote about her concert in Spain and the song 'Guantanamera.' That piece was titled 'An Evening in Paris with Asha-tai,' a gem that left me steeped in the afterglow of her joie de vivre and our intimate tête-à-tête. That summer, she took the twins to Paris for linguistic immersion, allowing them to feel the magic of the city firsthand. To the world, she was Ashaji, but to her family, she was 'Asha Aai.' After my son was born, whenever we met, she never failed to ask, 'How's your kiddo?' showing her caring nature.
Final Public Appearance and a Nation's Loss
Recently, we saw her grace the performance of a Marathi comedy. She sat through the entire three-hour play and addressed the audience during the interval, urging, 'We must watch plays and encourage theatre. I will do a concert here soon.' The auditorium resounded with awe and applause, capturing her enduring spirit. On April 12, the nation was stunned into silence when such an indomitable spirit passed away at the age of 92. My mother and I went to pay our last respects, reuniting with the family after many years. Zanai saw me and simply said, 'She wanted to learn French.' I just hugged her tight, encapsulating the profound loss and cherished memories.
