Shamshad Begum dies at 94

Subcontinent film fraternity mourned the demise of legendary singer Shamshad Begum on Tuesday, with whose demise an era in Hindi cinema music also came to an end. Begum died Tuesday night at her Mumbai residence in presence of her daughter Usha Ratra and son-in-law Yog Ratra. Begum, who ruled playback singing in the ’40s and 50s, was the voice behind evergreen hits like ‘Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishaana’, ‘Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon’, ‘Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar’ and ‘Kajra Mohabbat Wala’.
Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar started her playback singing when Begum was at the peak of her career.
Mangeshkar, who sang many duets with Begum like ‘Darna Mohabbat Karle’ from the 1949 film ‘Andaz’, ‘Pyar Ke Jahan Ki’ from the 1949 film ‘Patanga’ and ‘Bachpan Ke Din’ from 1951’s ‘Deedar’, said she was saddened to hear about her death. “I got to know about the demise of famous singer Shamshad Begumji today. I felt very sad as I sang with her in many films. She was a lively and simple person,” Lata tweeted.
Reacting to her death, megastar Amitabh Bachchan said, “The golden voice of Shamshad Begum, playback singer of great eminence in some of the most historic film songs… now silent…RIP.”
Singer Bappi Lahiri said Begum’s death was a huge loss to the industry, which is celebrating its 100 years in May. “She was one of the most senior singers and had a unique style of singing. Her ‘Kajra Mohabbat Wala’ was a super-duper hit and we still listen to that song. I am a big fan of her and wanted her to sing for ‘Paanch Qaidi’ but it did not happen somehow because she was in Delhi that time. I deeply regret her death,” Lahiri said.
Film historian Raju Bharatan, who has been close to Begum’s family, said the singer was a favourite of all the composers of her time. “She and Noorjahaan were discovered by Ustad Ghulam Haider. He brought her to Mumbai. She sang extensively for Naushad and for C Ramchandra. She was a favourite of all the composers because she had a great personality and sense of humour. She had great stamina and was the number one playback singer before Lata Mangeshkar came. Her peak was from 1945 to 1955,” Bharatan said.
Composer-singer Shankar Mahadevan said her voice will always be remembered. “I had the big fortune of talking to her over phone four years ago. She blessed me for my work. I live with that moment. We will always remember her through her songs.”
Director Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted, “Shamshad Begum can truly be called the Indian nightingale. She’ll be immortal because of her songs. RIP.”