Begum Akhtar - The Queen of Ghazal

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Bhaskar

@Bhaskar.T

Inactive

+ 3

Posted: 19 years ago

#11

Thanks a lot Barnalidi.

You both are going too fast for me 😆

I could read both the article atlast. Thanks for the songs Didi. have started downloading them.

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Barnali

@Barnali

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 19 years ago

#12

Disciple of Begum Akhtar resurrects magic

Express News Service

Mumbai, October 15: FOR most connoisseurs of ghazal, Begum Akhtar remains a mystery. Stories about her abound. How did a mere courtesan from Lucknow's feudal society in the last century reach the pinnacle of ghazal gaiki? How did the much-maligned Akhtaribai become Begum of Nawab of Bhopal? No one can answer these questions with as much authority as Akhtar's disciple Rita Ganguly. A professor at National School of Drama (NSD), she taught drama to the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Jaidev and Rohini Hattangadi and Seema Biswas. By doing pioneering work on nautch girls, she brought the tawaifs dignity. She is in Mumbai to stage her much-acclaimed play Begum Akhtar at Nehru Centre's sixth National Theatre Festival on Wednesday. Ganguly spoke to MOHAMMED WAJIHUDDIN about her devotion to Akhtar, the mellifluous voice that has touched the chords of millions. How did you come to be like an adopted daughter to Begum Akhtar?
Born and brought up in Lucknow, I was drawn to mausiqi (music) since the beginning. I was nine and learning music from the great Siddheshwari Devi when, one day, Begum Akhtar came and took me under her wings. From mid-60s till her death (October 30, 1974) I was with her, performing with her at numerous mehfils. She formalised my debut on stage with a concert in Srinagar. For the last 28 years, I have tried to keep her memory alive through concerts, an audio-visual (Jamal-e-Begum Akhtar) and now this play.

What does she say in the play?
Actually, it's not a play. It's a story where I am a sutradhar who narrates the story of the pioneer of ghazal in India's oral tradition. Nowhere in the play do I say ''I am Begum Akhtar''. Since many fictitious stories about her floated in the market, I thought I must set the records straight. I say the things which I heard from her or learnt from reliable sources. Every word I say is authentic. Theatre is an art of illusion. But nothing in this play is imaginary. The effect is hypnotising. Recently, I performed in Dhaka where 1500 people watched the play with rapt attention. We repeated the show on demand. The generation which never got to listen to her live is curious to know about ammi. Could you share some memories of performing with Akhtar in Mumbai?
I have fond memories of sharing the stage with ammi in Mumbai. We sang at Gulzar and Rakhi's wedding. She was the toast of the masses. We had performed at Rang Bhavan and many other venues in the city. She had signed for many concerts which, after her death, I honoured. What are your plans on making a film on Begum Akhtar?
Many producers and directors have approached me for a film on ammi. Sadly, all of them want to sensationalise her life. They are interested in finding a scandalous angle in the story. No one is interested in truth. I have rejected all the offers so far. But if someone still shows a genuine interest, I am open to the idea. I have already completed a memoir on her, which will be out soon. It will be again my tribute to the lady who taught me so much.

Edited by Barnali - 19 years ago

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Barnali

@Barnali

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 19 years ago

#13

Originally posted by: Bhaskar.T
Thanks a lot Barnalidi.

You both are going too fast for me 😆

I could read both the article atlast. Thanks for the songs Didi. have started downloading them.

Ok here r some more.

Balamwa Tum Kya Jaano Preet

http://www.badongo.com/file/506144

Chala Ho Pardesia

http://www.badongo.com/file/506154

Chha Rahi Kari Ghata

http://www.badongo.com/file/506171

Deewana Banana Hai To

http://www.badongo.com/file/506186

Dekhe Bina Nahi Chain

http://www.badongo.com/file/506219

Dil Hi To Hai Na Sung-o-Khisht

http://www.badongo.com/file/506236

Dil Ki Baat Kahi Nahi Jaati

http://www.badongo.com/file/506252

Door Hai Manzil

http://www.badongo.com/file/506327

Duniya Ke Sitam Yaad

http://www.badongo.com/file/506351

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punjini

@punjini

Dazzler

Posted: 19 years ago

#14

There was some inexplicable quality in her voice. Was it the cracking of her voice, which has been mentioned in one article? Whatever it was, one would simply fall in love with her voice.

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Anol

@soulsoup

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#15

Barnali di - little slow down please 😆 😆
So many great post to read and great songs to download!

Thanks 😊

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Bhaskar

@Bhaskar.T

Inactive

+ 3

Posted: 19 years ago

#16

Originally posted by: soulsoup
Barnali di - little slow down please 😆 😆
So many great post to read and great songs to download!

Thanks 😊

Same here Anol. I am still downloading the songs...

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Bhaskar

@Bhaskar.T

Inactive

+ 3

Posted: 19 years ago

#17

Begum Akhtar was an artist who remains immortal till date, for the sheer aestheticism of her vocal style. She is nearly synonymous with the concept of ghazal. Her husky voice and emotive rendering of the ghazal has won her millions of fans all over the world. She usually composed most of her ghazals in ragas and her ghazals had a distinct classical flavour. Among the noted poets whose works she rendered include, Shakeel Badayuni, Daag, Meer, Sauda and Ghalib. A regular performer on the radio, she has nearly four hundred songs to her credit. Begum Akhtar was awarded the Padmashri in 1968 and posthumously awarded the Padmabhushan. This is a live recording from the residence of Khatau Valabhdas, recorded on 16th January 1957.

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Anol

@soulsoup

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#18

Ghazals from AIR Program by Begum Akhtar

Song	Poet
ham ko miTaa sake ye zamaane me.n dam nahii.n	Jigar Moradabadi
Khudaa ke vaaste ab beruKhii se kaam na le	Sahir Bhopali
rasm-e-ulfat sikhaa gayaa ko_ii	Daag Dehlvi
tabiiyat in dino.n begaanaa-e-Gam hotii jaatii hai	Jigar Moradabadi
zamii.n pe rah ke damaaG aasmaa.N se milataa hai	Shamim Jaipuri

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Anol

@soulsoup

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#19

in memory of begum akhtar - agha shahid ali
by Agha Shahid Ali

IN MEMORY OF BEGUM AKHTAR
(d. 30 October 1974)

1

Your death in every paper,
boxed in the black and white
of photographs, obituaries,

the sky warm, blue, ordinary,
no hint of calamity,

no room for sobs,
even between the lines.

I wish to talk of the end of the world.

2

Do your fingers still scale the hungry
Bhairavi, or simply the muddy shroud?

Ghazal, that death-sustaining widow,
sobs in dingy archives, hooked to you.
She wears her grief, a moon-soaked white,
corners the sky into disbelief.

You've finally polished catastrophe,
the note you seasoned with decades
of Ghalib, Mir, Faiz:

I innovate on a note-less raga.

3

Exiling you to cold mud,
your coffin, stupid and white,
astounds by its ignorance.

It wears its blank pride,
defleshing the nomad's echo.
I follow you to the earth's claw,

shouldering time's shadow.
This is history's bitter arrogance,
this moment of the bone's freedom.

4

One cannot cross-examine the dead,

but I've taken the circumstantial evidence,
your records, pictures, tapes,
and offered a careless testimony.

I wish to summon you in defence,
but the grave's damp and cold, now when
Malhar longs to stitch the rain,

wrap you in its notes: you elude
completely. The rain doesn't speak,
and life, once again, closes in,

reasserting this earth where the air
meets in a season of grief.

(for Saleem Kidwai)