Begum Akhtar

Biography:

Begum Akhtar, born Akhtari Bai Faizabadi on October 7, 1914, in Faizabad, India, was the daughter of Asghar Hussain, a lawyer, and Mushtari. Her mother and twin sister were disowned by Asghar Hussain. Despite the familial challenges, Akhtar’s musical journey began at a young age when she was captivated by the performances of Chandra Bai, an artist with a touring theatre group.

Begum Akhtar’s first public performance occurred at the age of fifteen. Notably, her singing was appreciated by poet Sarojini Naidu during a concert organized to aid the victims of the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake. Encouraged by this, she continued her journey in ghazal singing with great enthusiasm.

Breaking away from the traditional setting of mehfils and private gatherings, Begum Akhtar became one of the early female singers to give public concerts, earning her the title “Mallika-e-Ghazal” or Queen of Ghazals. Her good looks and sensitive voice initially drew her towards a potential film career, and she acted in a few Hindi movies during the 1930s.

However, influenced by the mastery of musicians like Gauhar Jaan and Malak Jan, Begum Akhtar chose to dedicate herself to Indian classical music, leaving behind the glamour of the film world. Her repertoire primarily consisted of classical modes, showcasing a variety of raags ranging from simple to complex.