Hyderabad, June 10: As the elderly lady was wheeled in, inconspicuously in a wheelchair, it took a moment for the cameramen to focus their lenses on the 90-year-old songstress. Dubbed as a veritable nightingale of yesteryear, Shamshad Begum has had numerous popular Hindi film songs to her credit.
Born in Amritsar, Punjab, the veteran singer stole many hearts for her voice, whose clarity was said to resemble temple bells. The Padmabhushan Awardee was commemorated by the Andhra Pradesh Kala Vedika on Tuesday evening at the Jubilee Hall at Nampally for her achievements in the realm of music.
Starting her career in radio from Peshawar, Begum made her singing debut on radio in Lahore on December 16, 1937. A reclusive public figure, Begum was known for her voice, though her pictures were hard to come by. Her rare public appearance on Tuesday proved perhaps in years that the media- shy lady had perhaps finally come out to face the flashbulbs.
Also present at the event were Finance Minister, K Rosaiah, along with C Narayana Reddy, as well as veteran singers Rao Balasaraswathi Devi, P Suseela, S Janaki among others.
Nearly a 100 singers and persons associated with the musical arts comprised the bulk of the audience, while dignitaries form the cultural arena completed the set.
Born on April 4, 1919, some of Shamshad Begum’s famous numbers include Mere piya gaye Rangoon (Patanga), Kahin pe nigahen, kahin pe nishana (CID), Leke pehla pehla pyaar (CID), Kabhi aar, kabhi paar, zara dheere chalo (Aar Paar), Mere neendon mei tum, mere khwabon mei tum (Naya Andaz). Her nasal style of singing was said to have been inspired by K L Saigal.
Begum sang for the All India Radio (AIR) through her musical group The Crown Imperial Theatrical Company of Performing Arts, set up in Delhi.
Her voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her on as his disciple. Her voice was used in background scores of numerous films during the 1940s and 50s. Characteristically nasal, Begum’s timbre and style of delivery was distinct from her peers.
As a six-piece orchestra played signature tunes from her repertoire, introducing the singer to her audience, Shamshad Begum herself spoke little, as the award was bestowed upon her. Thanking her fans, followers and well wishers, Begum also received a gift cheque of Rs 1 lakh from the sponsor group.
–Agencies–