iWorld
ZEE5 partners with Designyatra 2023
Mumbai: ZEE5, India and Bharat’s largest homegrown video streaming platform, and the OTT arm of ZEEL, partnered with Kyoorius for Designyatra 2023 that took place between 26 to 28 October, in Goa. In line with ZEE5’s digital-first and consumer-centric philosophy, the 3-day yatra set a global stage for the design and creative enthusiasts across industries to interact, demonstrate, and celebrate their work of art. Showcasing new age entertainment exposures on OTT, ZEE5 created engaging and enriching exposures at the event which marked a presence of over 1000 attendees and multiple eminent speakers. Acclaimed names like Jonathan Barnbrook, who won a Grammy for David Bowie’s album cover design, and Nelly Ben Hayoun -Stépanian, the founder of NASA’s International Space Orchestra were also a part of the coterie.
ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said, “Designyatra is one of the most prominent platforms that witnesses global representation from various industries to showcase and celebrate design excellence. At ZEE5, the endeavor has always been to enhance platform experience through multiple touchpoints where design plays an integral role in the final product offerings. We are thankful to our partners for bringing together the most talented minds in the creative industry, leading the way towards a new era of design brilliance.”
Kyoorius founder CEO Rajesh Kejriwal said, “Designyatra has always been a hub for creative stimulation. In 2023, this meant bringing together talented folks from all principles of design to create a cross-pollination of insights as a first in the industry. The Kyoorius Design Awards 2023 similarly pushed the envelope by recognizing the best of Indian Design and paving the path for the future. ZEE5’s commitment to fueling design thinking in India, and boosting the young generation manifested brilliantly at the conference through AR/VR experiences, capturing the Typography excellence in film, and workshopping for Responsible Design.”
Experience zone:
ZEE5 witnessed an encouraging response from the participants at the AR/VR zone as they put their imagination to test to design movie characters virtually. The on-ground contest saw an enthusiastic turnaround from the audiences to create avatars basis the plot of content titles. Further an illuminating experience was created at ‘Lite Bright’ where participants used coloured glowsticks to create patterns of their choice. The ‘Kyoorius Young Blood Awards’ segment was unveiled as part of ZEE5’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging creative talents, dedicated to fostering the next generation of innovators and artists.
Sessions by ZEE5 Senior Management
Vatsal Chaoji, head of product design from the ZEE Tech and Innovation Centre did an interactive session on ‘Responsible Design for OTT’ reflecting on the significance of ethical design attuned to consumer lifestyle and consumption patterns. The session opened discussions on the varied facets of responsible design, the current landscape of digital product experiences which necessitates intervention and regulations. The role of AI and creativity in marking the next phase of entertainment experiences on streaming platforms.
ZEE5 creative director Vipul Salve conducted an insightful session titled ‘The Futura of Cinema is Gotham!’ which was a huge hit amongst the young crowd, where they engaged in an enticing conversation on how typography helped change the course of Cinema over the decades. Tracing the evolution of cinema and typography- hand-in-hand, the attendees explored right from the history of hand drawn title logos of single screen eras to the impactful legible typography that is consumed constantly by everyone today on OTT.
The event saw attendance from students, industry veterans and designers from across geographies, who came together to celebrate design and discuss fresh narratives to match the flux of life, with ZEE5 at the forefront. Designyatra is a truly anti-disciplinary conference, hosting designers from the fields of graphic, interior, product, industrial, furniture, and many more.
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.
