Momtaz Begum

Begum was born on 5 May 1974[8] in the village Joymontop in Singair, in Manikganj. She spent most of her childhood learning music from her father, Modhu Boyati who was also a singer.,[9] Her other teachers and mentors include Matal Razzaque Dewan, and Abddur Rashid Sorkar.

Begum's initiation into music occurred early. She was a child when she accompanied her father, first as an audience member, and soon after a co-performer. The kind of music she performed like, Marfati, Boithoki, and Murshidi can roughly be categorized in the mystic songs genre.[10][11]

Initially Begum's released albums entirely financed by herself. After these became popular she was hired by producers to make further recordings, though her payment was usually a very low flat fee and the contract stipulated that this would have to be paid back if these did not sell well. However, her musical works are tended to sell out almost immediately and within a very short period, she found herself quite busy; often recording two songs per day. In an interview with the Bangladeshi daily Daily Star she stated: "I used to be handed down the lyrics and the music tracks minutes before and there used to be hardly any time for rehearsal and I had to record it at all in one go". Some of her music albums are Return Ticket, Ashol Boithoki, Murshider Talim, and Ronger Bazar.

Begum was elected to parliament from Manikganj-2 in 2014.[12]

Begum established a 50-bed Momtaz Eye Hospital with support from Orbis International, in her native village Joymontop. The hospital was established in memory of her father, Modhu Boyati, who lost his eyesight as he could not afford a cataract operation due to poverty.[2]

• Cover Story - Momtaz - The Music Queen The Daily Star
• Singer Momtaz Speaks to VOA (26-May-2006) VOA, Washington.