It was almost time for me to board my flight from Mumbai to Newark earlier this week and I headed to the restroom in the Air India lounge. On my way out a patch of peeling paint on the wall of a business cubicle just outside the restroom caught my eye and I missed the step down. I fell hitting my forehead against the offending wooden cubicle wall, my glasses flew off and I probably made a loud noise while falling and uttered a few epithets. A lady and her traveling companion assisted me, insisted that I sit down. I assured them I was fine. She then took out a cold diet coke from the cold case and asked me to hold it against my forehead. In all of that fog, her face looked familiar. I then summoned the courage to ask her “Aap ki shakal Asha Bhosle se milti hai”. She said, ”Main Asha” and smiled.

Excitedly I said “Aapka CD Rahul and I is my favorite! We saw you perform in Boston at the Berkley School and enjoyed ourselves very much.”

Our conversation continued, she asked me to join her for a cup of tea. She offered me a pain killer. I stuck to the ice that an attendant had brought over and I promptly brought my hand luggage over to where she and her percussionist were sitting. Chai with Asha-ji – I was not going to miss out on that!

She told me that she was 79 and that Lata was 83. In fact at midnight Lata’s 83^rd year had started. I told her that she did not look 79. She did not! She then picked up her cell phone and dialed Lata-ji to wish her.

In those few minutes I sat with her I asked if she still performed. She does. She was headed to San Francisco to perform at a fusion jazz concert – the San Francisco Jazz Festival. I asked if Lata-ji still performs. She does not. I asked her if she knew how much joy she has given to so many people. She smiled. I asked her the secret of looking so young. She said “Zindagi mein kuch tension hona chahiye. Aap kahen ki mein Ooty mein ja kar retire karoonge, to jaldi buddhe ho jayenge.” (You need to have some tension in your life. If you want to retire in Ooty and be among nature, you will grow old early.)

We spoke of music and jazz and opera. She asked if I sang, I said no. I asked her about new projects. She said she was doing some jazz fusion and also classical. She also acted in a film called Mai and played the title role. Her first film as an actor! We laughed over the very loud snores of a fellow passenger. She said she pitied his wife!

Then our conversation got interrupted because a few people came over and wanted to take photos with her. She obliged. They touched her feet. I asked if I could take photos with my camera too. I got it out of my hand luggage and took the attached photos. Then it was time to go through security and board the flight.

After we landed in Newark I walked up to her, cut through all the staff and passengers surrounding her, shook hands and told her she was an inspiration to all of us. And thank you for the music. She smiled.

Amazing lady! To be involved with creative projects and such personal growth even at this stage of her life. Amazing!

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