Poll
What's your favorite Shamshad Begum (Solo) song?
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Hello music lovers,
Today, April 14, is the birth anniversary of an iconic but altogether forgotten playback singer - Shamshad Begum.
Known for keeping a low profile, Shamshad Begum spent her last years in relative anonymity staying with her daughter and son-in-law, and was even mistakenly thought to be dead years before - her name being confused with another Shamshad Begum- Saira Banu's grandmother.
Known fondly as Aapaji (elder sister), Shamshad's laidback persona led to so many slights and oversights in her career, with music directors such as O.P. Nayyar, Naushad and C. Ramchandra who used her voice liberally when they were still establishing themselves, happily taking up her generosity in charging lower fees since they were just starting up and couldn't afford more, only to overlook her in favour of Lata, Asha or other playback singers when they grew famous. Shamshad herself was more a family oriented person, she fell in love and married a much older Ganpat Lal Batto when she was just a teenager against the wishes of her conservative family. She happily set up house with him and raised a child, only to be devastated when he was killed in a freak accident. By the time, things had moved on in the film industry and she found she couldn't make her place back, fickle as it was.
Still, she is known as one of the most distinctive female playback voices we ever had and O.P. Nayyar had once mentioned that he voice was "clear as a temple bell." Rafi has spoken of her tremendous control over her voice and in a song they were singing together (I think it was Bheega bheega pyar ka sama), he found himself struggling to take a breath whereas Shamshad managed it with consummate ease prompting him to say to her, "Maan gaye aapko, Aapa!" Kishore Kumar would seek her advise when he was an upcoming singer and wonder if he would ever becomes as famous as his older brother and she would tell him to keep up the hard work, and that true talent would not stay hidden for long. As it is, the song he sang with her, "Meri neendon mein tum" is said to have moved Rafi to tears - so overcome was he at Kishoreda's singing.
Even if no one remembers her much and when we talk about yesteryears female singers we mention Lata, Asha, Geeta Dutt ..even Suraiya & Noorjehan but rarely ever Shamshad Begum, you've got to admit she sang some of the most iconic songs from that era - some of which are still remembered to this day via remixes 
.
So let's take this opportunity to celebrate this rare, iconic, yet forgotten singer.
Vote for your favorite Shamshad Begum Solo song.
Then pop over and vote in the Duets Poll.
I'll post all the songs in the poll because you may not have heard of some of them, and even if you have, these gems deserve to be remembered/ listened to over and over.
Poll stays open for a week i.e. until next Sunday April 21.
# 1 Boojh mera kya naav re
Film: C.I.D. (1956)
Music O.P, Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
On Screen: Minoo Mumtaz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u9jvlRu_uM
# 2 Sainyaan dil mein aana re
Film: Bahar (1951)
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Rajinder Krishen
On Screen: Vyjayanthimala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMG9pPVMdyA
# 3 Kahin pe nigahein, kahin pe nishana
Film: C.I.D. (1956)
Music: O.P. Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
On Screen: Waheeda Rehman
# 4 Kabhi aar, kabhi paar
Film: Aar Paar (1954)
Music: O.P. Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
On Screen: Kumkum (her acting debut)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdYrP8C30pc
# 5 Chandni aayi banke pyar
Film: Dulari (1949)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
On Screen: Geeta Bali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r47RhsO5Ki8
# 6 Kahe koyal shor machaye re
Film: Aag (1948)
Music: Ram Ganguly
Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Deepak
On Screen: Nargis
# 7 Ek do teen
Film: Awara (1951)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishen
Lyrics: Shailendra
On Screen: Cuckoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VH6PVJCcz8
# 8 Chhod babul ka ghar
Film: Babul (1950)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
On Screen: Nargis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sOjtQhOICw
# 9 Ab toh jee hone laga
Film: Mr. & Mrs, 55 (1955)
Music: O.P. Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
On Screen: Rooplaxmi
# 10 Holi aayi re kanhai
Film: Mother India (1957)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
On Screen: Nargis/ Kumkum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2RcxYED96g
( I realized later this might have some portions sung by Lata, but don't want to repost the poll 
)
I have been listening to kahi pe nigahe song from CID in the last 2 days and you shared it today. Yay 
Vote kyun nahi kiya phir?I have been listening to kahi pe nigahe song from CID in the last 2 days and you shared it today. Yay
Wonderfully written thread Lizzie. 
All her songs are super-hit ones.
Movie Name : Mughal-E-Azam
Song : Teri Mehfil Mein Kismat
Singer : Lata Mangeshkar
Lyrics : Shakeel Badayuni
Music : Naushad
Producer : K Asif
Directed By : K Asif
Even if no one remembers her much and when we talk about yesteryears female singers
Why would you say that??
Shamshad Begum has the most iconic voice and you can still confuse the other singers but her's is the most distinctive! I love all the songs listed above and more! I still have 5-7 cassettes of Shamshad Begum songs and listen to them often! She's unmatched! 
I’ve learned to keep low expectations when it comes to Gen Z / Millenials and Classic stuff.Originally posted by: Satrangi_Curls
Even if no one remembers her much and when we talk about yesteryears female singers
Why would you say that??
Shamshad Begum has the most iconic voice and you can still confuse the other singers but her's is the most distinctive! I love all the songs listed above and more! I still have 5-7 cassettes of Shamshad Begum songs and listen to them often! She's unmatched!
I’m glad you know of her and her songs!
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