iWorld
ZEE5 amps up the festive mood; streams iconic Durga Puja pandals and rituals from the city of Kolkata
Mumbai: Diving into the festive spirit with full fervor, ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform, and the OTT arm of ZEEL, is bringing the iconic celebrations of Durga Puja on the platform from 20th to 24th October. Durga Puja stands as Bengal’s most revered and grand festival with recognition from UNESCO as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. Showcasing the rich artistry of the many opulent pandals, ZEE5 is offering an immersive walk-through experience from 35 pandals and a chance to witness the rituals, from Sasthi to Sindoorkhela, all in the glorious spirit of Bengal. With this, ZEE5 is excited to extend the joys of the festivities to millions of enthusiasts worldwide, offering a one-stop destination for festive entertainment.
ZEE5 India CBO Manish Karla shares his enthusiasm, “India’s cultural tapestry is woven with lots of traditions, and customs, beautifully showcased through its diverse festivals. These celebrations not only illuminate the richness of our heritage but also epitomize the unity in diversity, reminding us of the shared values that bind us as a nation. At ZEE5, we believe in creating these immersive experiences, and celebrations which are an integral part of our cultural fabric. Wishing everyone a joyous and vibrant festive season! We hope our audiences like the specially curated festive content available on ZEE5.”
ZEE5 head – AVOD marketing Abhirup Datta added, “Our AVOD campaign for Durga Puja is designed to uphold India’s rich cultural legacy, diversity, artistry, and creativity to our global audience, bringing them closer to home. This year’s offerings are more magnificent, and we wanted to make them accessible to all by adding it to our AVOD catalogue. We welcome our viewers to join us this festive season and indulge into the expansive slate of content available on ZEE5.”
ZEE5 will be showcasing 35 key pandals from various locations during Durga Puja, including livestream from Sovabazaar Rajbari on the 20th, Shiv Mandir on the 21st, Hatibagan Sarbojanin on the 21st, Chetla Agrani on the 22nd, Singhi Park Sarbojanin on the 22nd, Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra and Jagat Mukherjee Park on the 23rd, and Ballygunge Cultural Association on the 24th. The festivities are open for all to watch, allowing viewers to be a part of these iconic events from afar.
iWorld
Asha Bhosle, the unforgettable voice that sang a thousand emotions
The melody that defined generations has fallen silent, but her songs will echo forever.
MUMBAI: The voice that once lit up countless silver screens and brought rhythm to millions of hearts has stilled. Legendary singer Asha Bhosle, one of the most versatile and prolific vocalists in Indian film music, passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai on Sunday. She was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Saturday night after suffering cardiac and respiratory issues and had reportedly been unwell for several months.
Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon. The last rites will be performed on Monday.
Born in 1933 into the illustrious Mangeshkar musical family, Asha began her journey in the golden era of Hindi cinema. She recorded her first film song at the age of nine in 1943 and, by the 1950s, had already carved a distinct space for herself in Bollywood. While her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar often took the more melodic, heroine-centric numbers, Asha quickly became the go-to voice for energetic cabaret tracks, dance numbers, and later, the full spectrum of emotional expression.
The 1950s–60s: Rise of the Cabaret Queen In the early decades, Asha was frequently typecast for “item songs” and Western-style numbers. Yet even within those constraints, she delivered unforgettable hits such as “Aaja Aaja” from Teesri Manzil and “O Haseena Zulfon Wali” from the same film. Her playful, sassy delivery gave these tracks a magnetic energy that still feels fresh today.
The 1970s: Peak Versatility This was the decade that cemented her legendary status. Songs like “Dum Maro Dum” (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” (Caravan), “Chura Liya Hai Tumne” (Yaadon Ki Baaraat), and “Yeh Mera Dil” (Don) became cultural touchstones. Asha proved she could swing from seductive to soulful with equal ease, working with almost every major composer of the era.
The 1980s: Emotional Depth and Ghazals After marrying composer R.D. Burman in 1980, Asha explored more nuanced, introspective territory. Her National Award-winning performances in Umrao Jaan (“Dil Cheez Kya Hai”) and Ijaazat (“Mera Kuch Saamaan”) showcased a matured, velvety voice capable of profound emotion. These tracks remain among the most cherished ghazals in Indian cinema.
The 1990s–2000s: Global Collaborations and Reinvention Even as newer voices emerged, Asha refused to fade. She collaborated internationally with the Kronos Quartet and released experimental albums. Later in her career, she lent her voice to younger composers and continued performing live, often sharing the stage with her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle.
A Life Beyond the Microphone Asha’s personal journey was as dramatic as her filmography. At 16, she eloped with Ganpatrao Bhosle, her personal secretary. The marriage ended in separation in 1960 after they had three children. In 1980, she married R.D. Burman in a union that faced family opposition but brought creative synergy. RD passed away in 1994.
Throughout her life, Asha remained grounded, often crediting classical music and ghazals for keeping her voice sharp. In a 2023 interview, she admitted she rarely listened to contemporary film songs, preferring the timeless works of Bhimsen Joshi and classic ghazals to stay inspired.
Her seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards are merely numbers; the true measure of her legacy lies in the thousands of songs that still play in homes, cars, and hearts across generations. From the foot-tapping energy of “Dum Maro Dum” to the haunting beauty of “Mera Kuch Saamaan”, Asha Bhosle gave Indian cinema a voice that was simultaneously bold, tender, playful, and profound.
The golden era has lost one of its brightest stars, but the music she created will continue to refresh souls for decades to come. As the final notes of her extraordinary journey fade, India bids farewell to a voice that truly defined an era.
