![DISCO MYSTIC](https://cdn.magzter.com/1334070477/1718018963/articles/_rFUAFQkX1718022831741/DISCO-MYSTIC.jpg)
IT'S NOON ON a weekday, but Asha Puthli is still in bed when she answers my Zoom call. She's in her nightgown, her hair tied up in a small knot at the front, gently rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She had a late night, she explains, and is running on four hours of sleep. For a moment, she looks like any other 79-year-old, a little tired and a little groggy. Then she turns on the charm with a thousand-watt smile. "I did my Sardarji hairdo for you, especially," she jokes, delightfully droll. "My little munda look."
Over 50 years ago, Puthli moved from Mumbai to New York armed with a dance scholarship, a demo tape of Indo jazz fusion compositions, and dreams of being a jazz singer. On the strength of her prodigious vocal talent, endless gumption, and bagfuls of roguish charm, she achieved that and more. Through the 1970s and early 1980s, she put out a string of records that ranged from avantgarde jazz to glam, pop, and soul, all infused with a sense of cosmic spirituality and playful whimsy. A regular fixture at Andy Warhol's Studio 54, she was a fashion icon, dressed by Michaele Vollbracht and Manolo Blahnik and photographed by Richard Avedon and Francesco Scavullo. She starred in films by Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and Bruno Corbucci, became besties with trans actress Holly Woodlawn-immortalized in the Lou Reed hit "Walk on the Wild Side"--and inspired the sartorial and performance style of Debbie Harry.
Despite strong sales in Europe, Puthli's music never quite made it into the American mainstream. She retreated into semi-retirement in the 1980s, burnt out from constant clashes with a music industry that wasn't quite ready yet for a brown-skinned diva. But her music stayed in rotation, gaining cult status amongst crate-diggers and underground dance music fans. In the 1990s and early noughties, her music was sampled by hip-hop stars like The Notorious B.I.G. and 50 Cent, finding its way to a new set of listeners.
Denne historien er fra June - July 2024-utgaven av GQ India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June - July 2024-utgaven av GQ India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![THE FUTURE SOUNDS LIKE AT EEZ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/AyQZJtmgL1724762386503/THE-FUTURE-SOUNDS-LIKE-AT-EEZ.jpg)
THE FUTURE SOUNDS LIKE AT EEZ
The Coachella-slaying, multi-language-singing, genre-obliterating members of Ateez are quickly becoming load-bearing stars of our global pop universe.
![DEMNA UNMASKED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/urznhp2i41724762264912/DEMNA-UNMASKED.jpg)
DEMNA UNMASKED
He's the most influential designer of the past decade. He's also the most controversial. Now the creative director of Balenciaga is exploring a surprising source of inspiration: happiness. GQ's Samuel Hine witnesses the dawn of Demna's new era, in Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Photographs by Jason Nocito.
![Inside the undercover adventures of a full-time fraud sleuth.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/wNrDmjBdk1724750842106/INSIDE-THE-UNDERCOVER-ADVENTURES-OF-A-FULLTIME-FRAUD-SLEUTH.jpg)
Inside the undercover adventures of a full-time fraud sleuth.
HOW TO MAKE A FORTUNE AS A PROFESSIONAL WHISTLE-BLOWER
![A LIFE OF FASHION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/wnIrnaaro1724750060235/A-LIFE-OF-FASHION.jpg)
A LIFE OF FASHION
In an extensive conversation, the menswear icon discusses his rise, his mistakes, his triumphs, his retirement, and what the future holds for him and his beloved brand.
![IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH GEORGE & BRAD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/ZEy0rO_Zg1724748152520/IN-THE-SOUTH-OF-FRANCE-WITH-GEORGE-BRAD.jpg)
IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH GEORGE & BRAD
They've spent three decades living intertwined lives at the inconceivably glamorous height of Hollywood. Now, having crossed the threshold of 60, they're more comfortable than ever throwing bombs, dispensing hard-won wisdom, and, yes, arguing about who had the better mullet in the '80s.
![ALEXANDER THE GRITTY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/6wLEPqVQt1724747703438/ALEXANDER-THE-GRITTY.jpg)
ALEXANDER THE GRITTY
One of India's most creative chefs comes of age.
![Penning History](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/HTGmXiIep1724743060952/PENNING-HISTORY.jpg)
Penning History
Montblanc marks 100 years of its iconic Meisterstück with new writing instruments inspired by the 1924 Olympic Games.
![Royal Enfield Forges a New Path](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/slN2oTfmD1724742853114/ROYAL-ENFIELD-FORGES-A-NEW-PATH.jpg)
Royal Enfield Forges a New Path
Say hello to the company's most cutting-edge roadster.
![Arooj Aftab Owns the Night](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/itJ_lNIjA1724742581078/AROOJ-AFTAB-OWNS-THE-NIGHT.jpg)
Arooj Aftab Owns the Night
The Grammy Award-winning artist, fresh off a Glastonbury set, speaks to GQ about her new album, Night Reign, from the ideas that led to its conception to its genre-defying collabs with Elvis Costello, Kaki King and more.
![Louis Vuitton's New Beat](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/698/1812356/8vhdvkitL1724742447511/LOUIS-VUITTONS-NEW-BEAT.jpg)
Louis Vuitton's New Beat
The luxury maison's latest addition to the Tambour line reiterates its commitment to watchmaking and craftsmanship.