shamshad begum

Shamshad Begum

Shamshad Begum: Indian playback singer, vocalist
Date of Birth: 18 April, 1919
Birthplace: Amritsar, Punjab
Years active: 1934-1975
Residence: Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai

Shamshad Begum is one of the first singers of Indian Film Industry. She was born on 14th April, 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab. Her voice was crystal clear like temple bell according to music director O.P. Nayyar. She was a premier singer in 50s and 60s. Her songs from 50's and 60s are still enthralling her fans. Shamshad was one of the two female singers who were survived strongly after the entry of the veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar. Geeta Dutt was the another.

Shamshad started her singing career by singing for Peshawar Radio. Later she also started working for Lahore Radio in 1937. She was part of a musical group 'The Crown Imperial Theatrical Company of Performing Arts', which was formed in Delhi. Along with this group she performed in stage shows and also for All India Radio (AIR). Her radio work helped her to enter into the film industry. AIR Lahore used to broadcast her songs repeatedly, which caught music directors attention and forced them to use her voice in films.

She also had recorded devotional songs and naats for some gramophone companies. The Sarangi master Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb get very much impressed by her voice and made her his disciple. In her early career, music composer Ghulam Haider used her voice in films like Khazanchi (1941) and Khandaan (1942).

In 1944, she moved to Mumbai along with composer Ghulam Haider as a part of his team. Shamshad lent her voice for Ghulam Haider in director Mehboob Khan's historical venture Humayun in 1944. At that time another singer Amirbai Karnatki was the topmost female singer in Industry. But with the entry of Shamshad Begum the scene changed. Many music directors were rushing to sign her for their films. She was the lead singer for music directors like O.P.Nayyar, C. Ramchandra and S. D. Burman. She ruled the Indian Film Industry in 1940s to 50s. She was amongst the one who recorded the first Westernized songs for industry like 'Meri Jaan...Sunday Ke Sunday', which was composed by C. Ramchandra.

Shamshad was most favorite amongst composers like O.P. Nayyar and Naushad Ali. Along with Naushad and Nayyar she had also lent her voice for music directors like Ram Ganguly and Khemchand Prakash. Her hits along with Naushad Ali includes 'Teri Mehfil Main Kismat Azma kar Hum Bhi Dekhange' from Mughal-E-Azam, 'Holi Aayi Re Kanhai' from Mother India, 'O Lagi Lagi' from Aaan, 'Chhau Main Rakha Virana' from Deedar, 'Dhadkar Mera Dil' from Babul and many more.

While her super hit songs along with music director O. P. Nayyar includes 'Poochh Mera Kya Naam Re Nadi Kinare Gaon Re' from Dev Anand starrer CID, and 'Kabhi Aar, Kabhi Paar' from film Aar Paar. Now her songs are being used by young composers to make remix albums. Her other hits also includes 'Kaahe Koyal Shor Machaye' from film Aaag along with composer Ram Ganguly, 'Saiyan Dil main Aana Re' from Bahaar along with composer S D Burman and 'Ai Dil Na Mujhe Yaad Dila' from film Saawan Aaya Re along with composer Khemchand.

Shamshad Begum was graciously beautiful woman in her youth. Her crystal toned, nasal voice created history from 40s to mid 60s. In 1998 there came a rumor that India's one time's famous singer Shamshad Begum had died. But the singer is still alive today living at Hiranandani Gardens, Powai in Mumbai.