Mukhtar Begum

Overview Mukhtar Begum was born in 1907, she was an exceptional ghazal singer. She was a stunning beauty and an enchanting stage dancer in the 1930s, she was counted as one of the radiant divas of that era. She is also known for her work in films like Matwali Meera (1947), Majnu (1935) and Indrasabha (1932). Although Mukhtar Begum starred in only a few films, her singing of thumris, ghazals and dadras led her to be named one of the sub-continent’s most iconic artists.

Part of her legacy are her students, whom she trained in music, singing, and the art of performance, these include her sister, the illustrious Farida Khanum, playback singer Naseem Begum, and film star Rani (who died of cancer). During her last years Mukhtar Begum lived in Karachi, and she passed away February 25, 1982.

Personal life Mukhtar Begum was born in Amritsar India. She met her first husband Agha Hashar during one of her theater performances. When they got married, Mukhtar Begum continued to perform in her husband's theater and her fame reached the absolute heights of popularity. In 1947 during partition she left India and settled in Lahore. She sang as long as her health allowed her to sing. She is the elder sister of ghazal singer Farida Khanum and guardian of film actress Rani. Her second marriage was to the already married Qamar Zaman, who already had children from his first marriage. She remained with Qamar Zaman till the end of her days in Karachi. Her stepson Ejaz Zaman (from Qamar Zaman's first marriage) is married to her sister Farida Khanum's third daughter Farzana, and they currently reside with their children in New Jersey NY.

Musical Training Her initial training was under the tutelage of Mian Mehrban Khan. Subsequently she underwent a lengthy apprenticeship under Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana. Her exceptional training made her an expert in the many genres of classical music – Thumri, Dadra and Ghazal.

Career She was already a singer and artist in her own right during the 1930s and 40s. As melody queen her fame spread in Punjab, which was as yet undivided and under British rule. Elite society invited her to perform at their mansions. Her musical skills were greatly honored in the many courts of British India. Mukhtar Begum shifted to Calcutta, the hub of theater and films in those days. She played the lead role in stage plays, scripted by Agha Hashar.

All India Radio would also broadcast her performances . Mukhtar Begum participated in a number of music conferences in pre-partition India. Towards the end of her career, she recorded several ghazals, many of them were by Agha Hashar. Her thumri-accented ghazals by Urdu poets recorded for gramophone companies and radio became her hallmark and left quite a legacy. M Sayeed Malik, a music connoisseur, commented “There was a certain uniqueness and vivacity in her vocals, which distinguished her from her contemporaries”. Mukhtar Begum sang in the Punjabi and Poorbi style of thumri.

Patron of Pakistani Singer Noor Jehan Mukhtar Begum was the idol of the very popular Pakistani Ghazal singer Noor Jehan. It was in fact Mukhtar Begum who got Noor Jehan her initial break in the music and film world. While in Calcutta, singer Noor Jehan, who at the time was unknown and went by her birth name of Allah Wasai, met Mukhtar Begum. Mukhtar Begum encouraged Allah Wasai (who later took the stage name Noor Jehan) and helped launch her into the film and music industry. She introduced Allah Wasai to her husband Agha Hashar’s Maidan Theatre and there she got the new nickname “Baby Noorjehan”, a name she carried all her life, and is known to this day.

References

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