Shamshad Begum

Shamshad Begum is an Indian playback singer in the Hindi film industry. She is known for songs in the films Naya Daur Naya Daur is a television show that aired on Zee T >> Read More... [1957] and Amber [1952]. Shamshad Begum was born in Amritsar of Punjab, British India, on 14 April 1919. In 1932, she married Ganpat Lal Batto. They both had one child, Usha. Usha married Lieutenant Colonel Yogesh Ratra, an officer in the Indian army. In 1924, Shamshad Begum was in primary school. Her principal noticed her voice and made her head singer pray in the classroom. At religious functions and family weddings, Shamshad Begum started singing folk songs.

Shamshad Begum didn’t receive any formal music training. When she was 12, her uncle took her for an audition at Jenophone Music Company. After an audition, Ghulam Haider gave her a contract for 12 songs. But her ambition of singing was opposed by her family. After getting the contract, her father allowed her to sing on condition that she would wear a burkha while recording the song. Shamshad Begum started singing in 1937 on All India Radio [AIR] in Peshawar and Lahore. 

Shamshad Begum never posed for a photo, and many people did not know her face. Nobody knew her face until 1970, but everyone could recognize her melodious voice. From the late 1980s, she started giving occasional interviews. Shamshad Begum won the Padma Bhushan Award in 2009 and the O. P. Nayyar Award.

Some of the notable songs of Shamshad Begum are Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar, Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana, Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re, Savan Ke Nazare Hai, Hum Dard Ka Afsana, Jab Usne Gesu Bikhraye, Main Bhawara Tu Hai Phool, Chandni Aayi Banke Pyar, Na Bol Pi Pi More Aangna, Milte Hi Aankhen Dil Hua, Chali Chali Kaisi Yeh Hawa Yeh, O Gadiwale Dheere, Ye Dunia Roop Ki Chor, Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon, Ek Tera Sahara, Holi Aaee Re Kanhaai, Naina Bhar Aaye Neer, Nazar Phero Na Hamse, Chod Babul Ka Ghar, Badi Mushkil Se Dil Ki Bequarari Ko Qarar Aaya, Kajra Mohabbatwala Ankhiyon Mein Aisa Dala, Meri Neendon Mein Tum, Teri Mehfil Mein Qismat, Dharti Ko Aakash Pukare, Saiyan Dil Mein Aana re, Door Koi Gaye, Chaman Mein Reheke Veerana, Ek Do Teen Aaja Mausam Hai Rangeen, Dil Eechak Beechak Gurr, Reshmi Salwar Kurta Jali da, Kisike Dil Mein Rehna Tha, and many more. On 23 April 2013, 94-year-old Shamshad Begum died at her Mumbai residence due to prolonged illness.