Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Indian cinema at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), which began Wednesday.

The "Piya tu ab to aaja" hitmaker, who has recorded every style of music from film to folk songs, Indian classical music to pop songs and ghazals, received the award Wednesday, looking elegant in a cream sari, a pearl neckpiece, her trademark bindi and with her hair adorned by flowers.

"Receiving DIFF award from Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum," Bhosle tweeted.


On receiving the award, the 81-year-old also treated the audience to an impromptu performance of some of her memorable renditions from her repertoire of over 12,000 songs. Bhosle, who has sung for more than 850 films, has recently collaborated with her sister and melody queen Lata Mangeshkar for new album "Mein Hawaa".

Acclaimed Egyptian actor Nour El Sherif also received the DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award this year for his work in more than 40 films in a career that's spanned almost five decades.