Shamshad believed true art never dies
Singer extraordinaire Shamshad Begum, with a career of over 40 years in playback singing without formal training in music, passed away at her residence in Mumbai late Tuesday night after a prolonged illness. She was 94.
Born in 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab (undivided India), Shamshad Begum started singing folk-based songs at religious functions and family marriages and by the age of 14 was singing in orchestras and for film studios.
Her golden voice immortalised songs like Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon, Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar and Kajra Mohabbat Wala et al.
“She was not keeping well for the past few months and was in and out of hospital. She passed away last night at our home in Powai, Mumbai. The funeral was a solemn affair with a few friends present,” said Begum’s daughter Usha Ratra. The singer lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Mumbai ever since her husband, Ganpat Lal Batto, died in 1955. “She kept herself away from the glamour of the industry despite being one of the top singers of her era as she did not like attention. My mother used to say that artistes never die. She wanted to be remembered for her songs,” said Usha. The demise of the nonagenarian drew evocative tributes from people across society.
Post new comment