Begum Akhtar
Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, also known as Begum
Akhtar, was a well known Indian singer of Ghazal, and Dadra, and Thumri genres
of Hindustani classical music.
She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for
vocal music, and was awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan(posthumously)
by Govt. of India.[3] She
was given the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of Ghazals).
Early life
Begum Akhtar was born in
Bada Darwaza, Town Bhadarsa, Bharatkund, Faizabad District,
Uttar Pradesh. Her father, Asghar Hussain, a young lawyer who fell in love with
her mother Mushtari and made her his second wife, subsequently disowned her and
his twin daughters Zohra and Bibbi (Akhtar)
Career
Akhtar was barely seven
when she was captivated by the music of Chandra Bai, an artist attached to a
touring theatre group. However at her uncle's insistence she was sent to train
under Ustad Imdad Khan, the great sarangi exponent from Patna,
and later under Ata Mohammed Khan of Patiala.
Later, she travelled to Calcutta with
her mother and learnt music from classical stalwarts like Mohammad Khan, Abdul Waheed Khan of Lahore,
and finally she became the disciple of Ustad Jhande Khan.
Her first public
performance was at the age of fifteen. The famous poetess, Sarojini Naidu,
appreciated her singing during a concert which was organised in the aid of
victims of the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake.
This encouraged her to continue singing ghazals with more enthusiasm. She was amongst the early female singers to give public
concert, and break away from singing in mehfils or private
gatherings, and in time came to be known as Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of
Ghazal).
Begum Akhtar's good looks and sensitive voice made her an
ideal candidate for a film career in her early years.East India Film Company of Calcutta approached her to act in "King for a
Day" (alias Ek Din Ka
Badshah) and Nal Damayanti in 1933.East India Film Company of Calcutta approached her to act in "King for a
Day" (alias Ek Din Ka
Badshah) and Nal Damayanti in 1933.
In 1945, Akhtaribai married a Lucknow-based barrister,
Ishtiaq Ahmed Abbasi, and became known as Begum Akhtar.[8] However, after
marriage, due to her husband's restrictions, she could not sing for almost five
years and subsequently, she fell ill, that is when her return to music was
prescribed as a befitting remedy, and in 1949 she returned to the recording
studios.
Her voice matured with time, adding richness and depth. She
sang ghazals and other light classical pieces, singing them in her inimitable
style. She has nearly four hundred songs to her credit. She was a regular
performer on All India Radio. She usually composed her own ghazals and most of her
compositions were raag based. She
sang the timeless Bengali classical song "Jochona Koreche Aari"
Death
During her last concert
in Ahmedabad she raised the pitch of her voice as she felt that her singing had
not been as good as she had wanted it to be and she felt unwell. The additional
demand and stress that she put herself under resulted in her falling ill and
was rushed to the hospital.
She died on 30 October
1974 in the arms of Nilam Gamadia, her friend, who invited her to Ahmedabad,
which has become her final performance.
Discography
List
Hindi films
·
Naseeb Ka Chakkar | –
1. Kalyug Hai Jabse
Aaya Maya Ne...
·
Roti | Anna Sahab Mainkar
1.
Wo Hans Rahe Hain Aah Kiye
Jaa...
2.
Ulajh Gaye Nayanwa Chhute
Nahin...
3.
Char Dino Ki Jawani Matwale...
4.
Ai Prem Teri Balihari Ho...
5.
Phir Fasle Bahaar Aayi Hai...
6.
Rehne Laga Hai Dil Me
Andhera...
1.
Hamen Yaad Teri Sataane Lagi...
2.
Main Raja Ko Apne Rijha Ke
Rahungi...
·
Dana Pani | Mohan Junior
1.
Ishq Mujhe Aur Kuchh To Yaad
Nahi...
·
Ehsaan
1.
(1954 – hame.n dil me.n basaa
bhi lo).
Filmography
·
Mumtaz Beghum (1934)
·
Jawaani Ka Nasha (1935)
·
King for a Day (1933,
director : Raaj Hans)
·
Ameena (1934, director :
-)
·
Roop Kumari (1934,
director : Madan)
·
Naseeb Ka Chakkar (1936,
director : Pesi Karani)
·
AnaarBala (1940, director :
A M Khan)
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