Singers remember Shamshad Begum as queen of melody

Describing her death as a "great loss", Mamta Sharma and Madhushree, from the current lot of playback singers, remember Shamshad Begum as "queen of melody" who had a "rare voice".

Shamshad Begum died Tuesday after a long illness. She was 94.

The Padma Bhushan awardee, one of the first few female playback singers of her time, reigned over the music world with her songs like "Mere piya gaye rangoon" and "Kabhi aar kabhi paar".

Her other songs are "Kajra mohabbat wala", "Leke pehla pehla pyar", "Kahinpe nigahen, kahinpe nishaana", "Chhod babul ka ghar", "Saiyan dilme Aana re" and "Teri mehfil me kismat ajmaa kar hum bhi dekhenge".

This is what celebrities have to say about Shamshad Begum:

Mamta Sharma, known for songs like "Munni badnaam" and "Fevicol se", said: I am feeling very sad because I liked her a lot. I have followed her voice. Her songs will live forever in our hearts. She was a queen of melody. She had a different voice, which is very important in our Bollywood industry. It's really a big loss for music industry.

Singer of songs like "Kabhi neem neem" Madhushree said: Shamshad Begumji was a very renowned singer. She had an original voice, which is very rare. As a playback singer, I can say that every singer, be it Lataji (Lata Mangeshkar), Ashaji (Asha Bhosle), they all have got inspiration from somewhere. In the beginning of their career, they (singers) have got inspiration. But Shamshad Begum had an original and pure voice and no one has been able to copy that.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said: Her (Shamshad Begum) contribution to the music world has been enormous. As we inch towards the 100 years (of Indian cinema), it's important that we all bow down our heads and pay a heart-felt tribute to the fascinating talent that made the Indian music scene more colourful.

Lots of love, lots of respect and our deepest, deepest appreciation of her contribution to the Indian music and Indian cinema.