Ramchandra utilised her voice for two very different style compositions - 'Meri jaan, meri jaan sunday ke sunday' ('Shehnai', 1947), which is considered by many to be one of the first real "westernised" songs of Bollywood, and the popular, 'Mere piya gaye rangoon' ('Patanga', 1949). Saigal fan became a national rage, belting out one hit after another. It was not long before A-list composers, the likes of Naushad, Ram Ganguly, S.D. It is said that she used to earn a princely sum of Rs 15 (US$1=Rs 50.08) per song at the time.
That year, she sang for Mehboob Khan's historical venture 'Humayun', with 'Naina bhar aye neer' being her first major recording hit. When Haider relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1944, Shamshad Begum, who was an integral part of his team, also shifted base, leaving her family behind. In fact, she sang in several of his films, including 'Khazanchi' (1941) and the notable 'Khandaan' (1942). Then, as happens in all great stories involving stars, came Shamshad Begum's big break - Ghulam Haider, the Lahore-based composer, was floored by her talent. At this point, the best thing that happened to her was that sarangi maestro, Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, accepted her as a disciple. An immediate success, she captivated many with her enchanting, earthy, nasal voice.
Her voice was first heard on All India Radio Lahore in December 1937. It may come as a surprise to many but perhaps her only real exposure to music in childhood was singing 'naats' (poems recited in praise of the Prophet Mohammed). Shamshad Begum was born in 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab, to a conservative Muslim family. But before she set down the mike for good, she left her fans with several evergreen hits that continue to be enjoyed till date. Incidentally, this is the first ever 'filmi' felicitation she has received, despite a long and illustrious singing career.Ī picture of grace and elegance, Shamshad Begum, now leads a retired life in Powai, a suburb of Mumbai, with her daughter and son-in-law. Nayyar award for her contribution to Hindi film music. Nayyar Foundation announced that they were going to present the grand old lady of Bollywood with the prestigious O.P. Almost three decades after she stopped recording, she received the Padma Bhushan, a civilian award given by the Government of India.Īnd, just a day before that honour came her way, the Pune-based O.P. The year has already begun on a memorable note for her. Burman, Shamshad Begum turns 90 on April 14. One of the first female playback singers of the Hindi film industry and the woman whose golden voice inspired melody geniuses like O.P. While the remixed tunes are a rage at the clubs, few youngsters would be able to name the person behind the groovy voice they love so much: Musical legend Shamshad Begum. For those who love her voice, nothing will ever be enough.'Mere piya gaye rangoon', 'Leke pehla pehla pyar', 'Kabhi aar khabhi paar' - these retro Hindi numbers are part of every popular DJ's play list these days. They only provide a few glimpses of her genius, but that should be enough for anyone who hasn't listened to her before. Here are the ten best songs sung by Shamshad Begum. At the peak of her career in early fifties, she commanded a fee that was almost five time that of her contemporaries, including Lata Mangeshkar. Against all odds, she married a Hindu lawyer at the age of 15 years, but kept her faith. Destiny helped her begin her singing career at the age of 12 years. But what she sang is still good enough to put her at the very top of the list of singing legends of Hindi Cinema.īorn in a conservative Muslim family, she would have never been allowed to sing, but for the support of one of her uncles. Shamshad Begum lived a life that was rich in experience, creativity,courage, success and fulfillment, even though somewhere along, Bollywood deserted her and ignored her talent - a loss that anyone can fathom, with a few glimpses of her singing talent that went largely unutilised after her early retirement.
As the first singing star of Bollywood, she is part of history now, but her songs will always keep her with us, with their eternal melody that will never fade from stardom. Shamshad Begum, born on April 14, 1919, lived for 94 years among us before she left this world on April 23, 2013. Shamshad Begum - The First Female Singing Star of Bollywood SHAMSHAD BEGUM (1919 - 2013)