Shamshad Begum

Name: Shamshad Begum











BIOGRAPHY

Shamshad Begum was an Indian singer who was one of the first playback singers in the film industry. Shamshad Begum was born in Amritsar, Punjab. She was a big fan of K.L. Saigal and watched Devdas 14 times. She earned 15 rs per song and was awarded 5000 on the completion of the contract on jenaphone. She started her radio career on Peshawar Radio and did work on Lahore, Dehli etc. She made her debut on radio in Lahore on December 16, 1937 captivating the hearts of listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice. Shamshad, reputed to be a stunningly beautiful woman in her youth, performed live both on stage and the All India Radio (AIR) through her musical group The Crown Imperial Theatrical Company of Performing Arts, set up in Delhi. The then AIR Lahore helped her in entering the world of movies as frequent broadcasting of her songs, which induced music directors to use her voice for their films. Shamshad also recorded "naats" and devotional music for a couple of gramophone recording companies. Her crystal clear voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her as his disciple. Lahore-based composer Ghulam Haider used her voice skillfully in some of his earlier films like: Khazanchi (1941) and Khandaan (1942). When he shifted to Bombay in 1944, Shamshad went with him as a member of his team. She is credited with singing one of the first Westernised songs - Meri jaan...sunday ke sunday by C.Ramchandra. O.P.Nayyar describes her voice as that of a "temple bell" for its clarity of tone. In 1944 when Mehboob Khan launched his historical venture Humayun, Master Ghulam Haider used her voice in the film. That was the time when Amirbai Karnatki was considered the number one playback singer in Bombay. With the introduction of Shamshad Begum in the film world of Bombay, contemporary composers almost fell over each other in booking her for recording of their songs leading to a prolific career until the mid-late 1950s. Music directors like C. Ramchandra, S.D. Burman and Naushad & O.P.Nayyar used her as their prime female vocalist in the early part of their careers. Shamshad became a national rage between the 1940s and the late 50s rendering songs with her nasal voice, which helped her carve her independent image - a voice different from her peers - Lata, Asha, Geeta etc. Around 1998 there was a rumour that she had died, but the singer is very much alive & resides in Mumbai as a recluse.