2014 - Birth Centenary of Begum Akhtar | Commemorative Coin

The 4th commemorative coin for the year 2014 was released to mark the Birth Centenary of Begum Akhtar. The renowned Ghazal singer is being honored, marking a unique occasion where an artist receives commemoration, a refreshing departure from conventional themes.

Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, also known as Begum Akhtar (7 October 1914 – 30 October 1974), stood as a prominent Indian singer, specializing in Ghazal, Dadra, and Thumri within the Hindustani classical music genres.

Acknowledging her exceptional contributions, she was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for vocal music, along with being bestowed with the prestigious Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan posthumously. She earned the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal.

At the urging of her uncle, Akhtar underwent training under the guidance of Ustad Imdad Khan, a distinguished sarangi exponent from Patna, and subsequently under Ata Mohammed Khan of Patiala. Her musical journey continued in Calcutta, where she received instruction from classical stalwarts like Mohammad Khan, Abdul Waheed Khan of Lahore, and ultimately became a disciple of Ustad Jhande Khan.

Her inaugural public performance took place at the age of fifteen, and her talent drew praise from the renowned poetess Sarojini Naidu during a charity concert for the Bihar earthquake victims in 1934. This encouragement fueled her passion for singing ghazals, leading her to record her first disc for the Megaphone Record Company. An array of gramophone records featuring her ghazals, dadras, thumris, etc., further established her as one of the early female singers to transition from private gatherings to public concerts, earning her the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal.

Although Begum Akhtar possessed the allure and vocal sensitivity ideal for a film career, upon hearing maestros like Gauhar Jaan and Malak Jan, she made the decision to forsake the glamour of cinema for a dedicated path in Indian classical music. Her mastery in light classical music was deeply rooted in the tradition of pure classicism. Her repertoire spanned a range of raags, from simple to intricate, showcasing her supreme artistry. While she briefly participated in Hindi films during the talkie era in the 1930s, her enduring legacy lies in her unparalleled contributions to classical music.


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