Naseem Begum

Naseem Begum was born in the city of Amritsar, British India, in 1936. She acquired her musical training from the classical singer Mukhtar Begum, the elder sister of the renowned ghazal vocalist Farida Khanum.[1]

Her first film, as a playback singer, was music director Ghulam Ahmed Chishti composed Guddi Gudda (1956). In 1958, the music composer Mian Sheharyar was greatly impressed by her vocal range, and gave her the opportunity to sing for his film Begunah (1958).[1][2] Naseem Begum immediately achieved success with her song "Nainon mein jal bhar aayey", which became one of the most popular tracks of the 1950s. She gained popularity after singing memorable duets with famous playback singer Ahmed Rushdi.

Some remarkable films for which Naseem Begum sang some heart-warming songs are:

• Guddi Gudda (1956)[3]
• Kartar Singh (1959 film)
• Salma (1960)[1]
• Sham Dhalay (1960)
• Saheli (1960)[1]
• Ghunghat
• Shaheed (1962)[1]
• Aulad[1]
• Baji (1963)
• Ik Tera Sahara (1963)[1]
• Haveli (1964)
• Farangi (1964)
• Maader-e-Watan (1966)[3]
• Payel Ki Jhankar (1966)
• Zarqa (1969)[1]

In addition to these films, she also sang for many Punjabi films, some of which are Kartar Singh (1959), Tees Maar Khan (1963), Jeedar (1965), Mukhra Chann Warga and Genter Man (1969). Some big musical films on her credit are Lutera (1964), Koun Kisi Ka, Kousar, Chann Puttar (1970), Mera Veer (1967), Chann Veer (1969), Langotiya and Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke.

Naseem Begum had also sung many patriotic songs which stir the soul of listeners. "Ae rah-e-haq kay shaheedo wafa ki tasveero, Tumhain watan ki hawain salaam karti hain", Mushir Kazmi wrote lyrics of Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo while music was given by Mian Sheharyar and vocalist was Naseem Begum for the Radio Pakistan recording in 1965. Majority of listeners still wrongly believe that Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo was sung by Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan. Later in 1966, veteran Pakistani film producer/director Saifuddin Saif used this song in his film Maader-e-Watan (1966) in which this song's music was arranged by Salim Iqbal.[3]

• Aye Rahe Haq ke shaheedo
• "Veer Mera Ghori Charia"
• "Uss Bewafa ka Shehr Hai Aur Hum Hain Dosto, Ashk-e-Rawaan Ki Nehar Hai aur Hum Hain Dosto"
• "Sau Baar Chaman Mehka Sau Baar Bahar Aayi, Duniya ki Wohi Raunaq Dil ki Wohi Tanhayi"
• "Mera Bichhra Balum Ghar aa Gaya Ghar aa Gaya, Meri Payal Bajai Chhanan Chhanan Chahann"[1]
• "Chanda Toray Chandani Main Jiya Jala Jaye Re"[1]
• "Habibi Hayya Hayya Habibi Hayya Hayya"
• "Hum Bhool Gaye Har Baat Magar Tera Pyaar Nahin Bhoole"[1]

Naseem Begum was admitted to the hospital, as she was expecting, and was about to give birth. However, due to pregnancy-related complications, she died on 29 September 1971 in Lahore, Pakistan at the age of 35.[1]

• Nigar Award for Best Female Playback Singer four times: 1960,[4] 1961, 1963 and 1964.[5]