2 languages
Begum Akhtar
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Begum Akhtar, born Akhtari Bai in Faizabad, became known as Mallika-e-Ghazal, queen of the ghazal. She also sang thumri and dadra, lighter classical forms in which text and feeling take priority. At an early concert for the victims of the 1934 earthquake, the poet Sarojini Naidu praised her singing. Her intimate, slightly broken voice turned the ghazal, the Urdu love poem, into an art song for the concert platform.
Listening
Listening tip. Listen to the thumri Na Ja Balam Pardes and how she colours a single word in ever different ways, with small sobs in the voice.
Na Ja Balam Pardes (Thumri : Raag Mishra Khamaj) · Begum Akhtar, 1983
Woh Jo Ham Men Tum Men Qarar Tha · Begum Akhtar, 1965
Koyaliya Mat Kar Pukar - Manjh Khamaj - Dadra · Begum Akhtar, 2016
Discography
Studio albums
- 1968Dadras & Thumrees
- 1990Thumri
- ?Koyelia Gaan Thama
See also
Categories: ArtistsIndian classical music