Cineplot Music

Firdousi Begum

Firdousi Begum

The fascinating voice of Firdousi Begum reverberated in the horizons of the film world at the very outset of the 60′s. She made her debut with song Ankhain Tori Rah Takain in Urdu film Chanda which was released in 1962. The songs were so sweet that the cine lovers echoed them not only in the halls but in the streets as well in places where the film was being shown. Naturally, soon after it, she lent her vocals for the leading lady of the times, Shabnam in Talaash for the song Kuch Apni Kahiyay, Kuchch Meri Suniyay.

This took her to heights of popularity. Those were the days of Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan and Naseem Begum, a time when Firdousi Begum made her niche in the world of music. It was simply miraculous. She was a God-gifted and a born artiste. Even today, her voice takes us back to the days when Western music was creeping in over films. That was the time that she gave a distinct flavor to Eastern music.

Firdousi Begum was duly rewarded for her contributions in the classical genre in films. The President Award was conferred on her for her songs in the Bengali film Rasiya.

She was born at Kooch Behar, Bengal, in 1941 to a family of musicians. Her father, Abbasuddin was a renowned music maestro. Naturally, due to her musically rich surroundings Firdousi Begum got the opportunity to learn music at a very early age from respected Ustad Muneer Hussain Khan and Janab Mastan Gama. Ustad Qadir Zameeri, who was the nephew of well-known Ustad Zameeruddin Khan, taught her the art of Thumri and Ghazal Gayikee to the maximum perfection. During her childhood she was in Calcutta but after the partition, she came to Dacca with her father as the family migrated to erstwhile East Pakistan.

She started presenting musical programs for children from Dacca Radio station as soon as the family settled there. Her fame, Gayikee and sonorous voice made her an instant hit. From then onwards, people started inviting her to prestigious musical programs. In 1955, Firdousi Begum’s first song was broadcasted for Radio Station Dacca. On the occasion, along with renowned artists, singers, musicians and intellectuals, the well-known poet of Bengal, Qazi Nazarul Islam was also present. He was all praise for this fascinating singer.

Robin Ghosh recorded Firdousi Begum’s first song for film Chanda. Thereafter, Firdousi Begum was the busiest playback singer of her days. The song Kahan Ho Tum Ko Dhoond Rahey Hain Yeh Baharain Yeh Sama under the music direction of Robin in the film Chakori was a big hit. Mousam Rangeela Nasheeli Hawa of Talaash was another famous song. Firdousi Begum also rendered a hit Woh Meray Samnay Tasveer Banay Baithay Hain. Her song Koee Dil Main Aakay Muskura Gaya in actor/director Rehman’s film Milan is another instance. Khan Ataullah Rehman was the music director of this film and Rehman himself was the main character. Her song Haiy Yeh Alam Tujhay Bhulanay Mein in the film Nawab Siraj-ud-daula is still fresh in the memory of music lovers. There is a long list of her films, but Chanda, Talaash, Saat Rang, Kajal and Preet Na Jane Reet are noteworthy.

During her artistic sojourn, Firdousi Begum came to Karachi for the recording of songs for the film Meera. Here she met a handsome youth Nazir Baig. She was taken in by this young man and referred him to director Ehtesham, commenting that this guy would be a promising singer. On her recommendation, Nazir Baig was called to Dacca. Here Nazir Baig acquired his film name Nadeem and in addition to his job, he was signed as hero of the film Chakori.

Thus Firdousi Begum not only gave the sweetest songs but also a sweetheart Nadeem to the cine lovers for all times - Zameer Ahmed

Lollywood