Little is known about the reclusive singer Shamshad Begum
New Delhi:
Shamshad Begum, who died at 94, was among the first playback singers of Bollywood. Many of her hit songs have been remixed for modern listeners but little is known about the reclusive singer herself. Here are some facts about the late songstress: (Read: Shamshad Begum, legendary singer, dies at 94)
Shamshad Begum was just 13 when she was signed by a record company, and had recorded 200 non-film songs for them in a couple of years.
She was the highest paid singer in the '30s and '40s, earning Rs 12.50 per song.
She had promised her father that she would never appear in front of the camera if > only he would let her sing. She kept her promise so faithfully that the public did not what she looked like till the '70s.
Shamshad Begum was the lucky mascot for many music directors, including O P Nayyar and Shankar-Jaikishan, and lyricists like Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri.
She was known for her habit of standing away from the microphone while singing.
Shamshad Begum sang the first "Western" song - Meri jaan, meri jaan, Sunday ke Sunday composed by C Ramachandra. (Read: Shamshad Begum: A song in her heart )
Shamshad Begum was just 13 when she was signed by a record company, and had recorded 200 non-film songs for them in a couple of years.
She was the highest paid singer in the '30s and '40s, earning Rs 12.50 per song.
She had promised her father that she would never appear in front of the camera if > only he would let her sing. She kept her promise so faithfully that the public did not what she looked like till the '70s.
Shamshad Begum was the lucky mascot for many music directors, including O P Nayyar and Shankar-Jaikishan, and lyricists like Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri.
She was known for her habit of standing away from the microphone while singing.
Shamshad Begum sang the first "Western" song - Meri jaan, meri jaan, Sunday ke Sunday composed by C Ramachandra. (Read: Shamshad Begum: A song in her heart )
