Naseem Begum

Naseem Begum (1936–1971) was a popular, and well known Pakistani film playback singer. She rose to prominence towards the end of the 1950s, and by 1964, she had managed to win the prestigious Nigar Award on five separate occasions. Despite originally being billed as a 'second Noor Jehan', Naseem Begum quickly managed to carve out her own successful niche in the Pakistani film industry.^[2]

She had the calibre to sing film songs based on semi-classical compositions and ragas, which indeed is a difficult task.

Early life

Naseem Begum was born in the city of Amritsar, British India, in 1936.^[3] She acquired her musical training from the classical singer Mukhtar Begum, the elder sister of the renowned ghazal vocalist Farida Khanum. Her first film, as a playback singer, was music director Ghulam Ahmed Chishti composed Guddi Gudda in 1956. In 1958, the music composer Mian Sheharyar was greatly impressed by her vocal range, and gave her the opportunity to perform in his film Begunah (1958).^[4] Naseem Begum immediately achieved success with her song Nainon mein jal bhar aayey, which became one of the most popular tracks of the 1950s. She gained popularity after singing memorable duets with famous playback singer Ahmed Rushdi.

Some remarkable Urdu films for which Naseem Begum sang excellent and heart-warming songs are Sham Dhalay (1960), Saheli (1960), Shaheed (1962), Aulad (1962), Baji (1963), Ik Tera Sahara (1963), Haveli (1964), Farangi (1964), Payel Ki Jhankar (1966), Zarqa (1969), and Pardes. In addition to these films, she also sang for many Punjabi films, some of which are Kartar Singh (1959), Tees Maar Khan (1963), Jeedar (1965), Mukhra Chann Warga and Genter Man (1969). Some big musical films on her credit are Lutera (1964), Koun Kisi Ka, Kousar, Chann Puttar (1970), Mera Veer (1967) , Chann Veer (1969), Langotiya, Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke.^[2]

Patriotic songs

She had also sung many patriotic songs which stir the soul of listeners. Ae rah-e-haq kay shaheedo wafa ki tasveero, Tumhain watan ki hawain salaam karti hain, is a song from film Madr-e-Watan (1966), lyrics by Saif-ud-din Saif and music composed by Saleem Iqbal.

List of her popular songs

• Veer Mera Ghori Charia^[5]
• Us bewafa ka shehr hay aur hum hain dosto, Ashk-e-rawaan ki nehar hay aur hum hain dosto
• So bar chaman mehka so bar bahaar aaee, Dunya ki wohi ronaq dil ki wohi tanhaee
• Mera bichhra balum ghar aa gaya ghar aa gaya, Meri payal bajay chhanan chhanan chahann
• Chanda toray chandani main jiya jala jaey ray
• Habibi hayya hayya habibi hayya hayya
• Hum bhool gaye har baat magar tera pyar nahin bhoole

Death

Begum was admitted in the hospital, as she was expecting, and was about to give birth. However, due to pregnancy-related complications, she died on 29 September 1971.^[2]

Awards

• Nigar Award for Best Female Playback Singer: 1960,^[6] 1961, 1963 and 1964.^[7]

References