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Asha is fairly glamorous when she is on stage. Her performance avatar is blingy and the embodiment of granny-gone-glam. Embroidered and zari-worked saris, generally in pale pastel colours, are offset by gorgeous jewellery, her large bejewelled cuff with the long fringe of gems that swing with the movement of her arm a staunch favourite. Her wardrobe is planned as per the location of the concert and the weather. ‘I prefer white saris and pearls rather than diamonds.’

Her eyebrows are carefully drawn in, her bindi a visible dot of bright colour, her lips painted subtly. ‘Artistes must keep reinventing themselves. Whenever I go on stage, my hairstyle, bangles, and sari are appreciated. I started the trend of wearing a coat over my sari,’ a style that is still seen on runways at fashion showings today.

Many years ago, when she sang at a concert in London, ‘I was referred to as Madonna in a sari!’ And there is a fun element too when Asha performs. ‘One day I saw a magic show and thought of introducing tricks like that into my stage shows. Now I can make handkerchiefs disappear, or make burned cigarettes appear. It’s a sleight of hand that I learned!’

And when she is...

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