From "Piya tu ab to aaja" to "Dum maro dum" and "Kambakht ishq", singing diva Asha Bhosle has been enthralling listeners with her vivacious and versatile numbers for more than six decades. And the singing legend, who turned 74 Saturday, is still going strong.

From Madhubala to Helen in the older films to newer actresses Urmila Matondkar and Kareena Kapoor, these screen scorchers are all bound by a common thread - the evergreen voice of Asha.

Says Gulzar: "If Lata-ji has sung all the songs in my 'Aandhi', 'Mausam' and 'Libaas', Asha did the entire score in 'Namkeen' and 'Ijaazat' and of course our collaborative effort 'Dil Padosi Hai' with Pancham, which is a personal favourite."

Gifted with one of the most versatile voices in the industry, Asha has sung every genre of song, be it pop, club mixes, romantic numbers, bhajans and ghazals. Asha's zingy singing has made memorable many of the cabaret numbers by yesteryears' diva Helen.

Urmila, for whom Asha has sung many hit numbers, including in "Rangeela", says: "I've always been one of Asha-ji's biggest fans. We go back a long way. She has known me from when I was a child.

She had sung in one of my Marathi films as a child actor called 'Sansar'. Then, of course, her husband R.D. Burman composed music for my 'Masoom'. The couple has seen me grow up."

"The biggest compliment to me was when people thought songs like 'Khallas' in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Company' were mine only because Asha-ji sang them," added Urmila, who lent her voice for Asha's album "Asha & Friends".

Born into the musical family of Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar, Asha took her initial training in music from her father. But it came to an abrupt end when he died. She was just nine years old then.

After his death the family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Mumbai. Asha and her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, started singing in films to support their family.

She sang her first film song "Chala chala nav bala" for the Marathi movie "Majha Bal" in 1943. Her first Hindi song was "Saawan aaya" for Hansraj Bahl's "Chunariya" in 1948.

The year 1957 was the breakthrough year for Asha when O.P. Nayyar used her to sing the heroine's songs in "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" and "Naya Daur". The same year the legendary S.D. Burman had a rift with Lata Mangeshkar. This came as a blessing in disguise for Asha, who soon became his favourite female singer.

In the 1970s Asha came closer to another legend of Indian music, R.D. Burman, who gave a new hip and happening sound to her singing. The songs "Piya tu ab to aajaa", "Dum maro dum" and "Chura liya hai tumne" were a result of this combination.

But it was her immortal ghazals for Muzaffar Ali's "Umrao Jaan" that fetched her huge accolades. The songs "Dil cheez kya hai", "In aankhon ki masti", "Yeh kaisi jagah hai doston" not only proved her versatility but are still all-time favourites.

For her contribution to music in Indian cinema, Asha was conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest title in Indian cinema in 2000.

She is a source of inspiration for wannabe singers.

"Asha-ji has always been a great source of inspiration for me. In fact, she inspires all budding singers. She is so versatile and her voice is so young that even today if she lends her voice to any actress, the song becomes a chartbuster," Abhijeet Sawant, the winner of "Indian Idol 1", told.

"Nowadays when established singers don't want to take a chance with pop albums she comes up with an album every year. She is so enthusiastic and always open to work with youngsters. I wish her many, many happy returns of the day and also that her blessings should always remain with us," added Sawant.

Her popularity is not confined to Indian shores! She has collaborated with artistes like Boy George and Stephen Lauscombe. In 2002, she teamed with Michael Stipe on the track "The Way You Dream" on the self-titled album by 1 Giant Leap.

In 1997, the British band Cornershop paid tribute to Asha with their song "Brimful of Asha", an international hit which was later remixed by Fatboy Slim.

In 2001, the CD single of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird" included a "Nellie vs. Asha Remix" created by Digital Cutup Lounge.

In 2005, American string quartet Kronos Quartet re-recorded R.D. Burman compositions like "Chura liya", "Piya tu", "Mera kuchh saaman" among others and got Asha to sing them.

In 2003, British opera pop singer Sarah Brightman sampled her song "Dil cheez kya hai" on her album "Harem". It was used as the intro for her song "You Take My Breath Away".