REMEMBERING MUBARAK BEGUM :

Today is the first death anniversary of Mubarak Begum , a very talented but less talked about & discussed Bollywood playback singer who also sang Ghazals and Na’at. She started her singing career by giving recitals on All India Radio . Her playback singing started in films in 1949 with the film ‘AIye’ . Nashad, the film composer- not Naushad , the celebrity composer - gave her the first break . She was most active in the ‘50s and ‘60s and in all gave play back in more than a hundred films, most of which are now in oblivion. She was a talented singer, but did not have the networking skills or perhaps did not care much for the material and financial aspect. A kind hearted woman ,who was ever ready to help others , she did not save any money and was driven to financial difficulties during her last years .

 Of all people Salman Khan , the actor helped her financially the most followed by Lata Mangeshkar. She had a peculiar voice with unmatched clarity of diction and perfect pronunciation . Apart from songs- solos and duets-, she gave her voice to Qawwalis in films also.
The following is a random sample of her singing capabilities and versatility-
"Mujh ko Apne Gale Lagalo, Aye Mere Hamrahi",
"Kabhi Tanhaayon Mein Yun, Hamari Yaad Aayegi",
"Neend Ud Jaaye Teri, Chain se Sone Wale"
"Woh na aayenge palat kar",
"Hum haal-e-dil sunayenghe, sunyay ke na sunyay"
"Wada humse kiya, dil kisi ko diya"
"Be-murawwat bewafa begana-e dil aap hain",
"Ae dil bataa hum kahan aa gaye" (Khooni Khazana, 1965)
"Kuchh Ajnabi se aap hain"
"Ayji ayji yaad rakhna sanam"
"Shama Gul Karke Na Jao Yun"
"Sanwariya teri yaad men ro ro marenge hum"
"Humein Dum Daike, Sautan Ghar Jana"
"Yeh moonh aur masoor ki daal" with Shard:”

She died of illness this day last year aged 80.
Our humble tributes to the talented singer !