Shamshad Begum

Shamshad Begum songs by C Ramchandra

Shamshad Begum and C Ramchandra April 23, 2015

A tribute to Shamshad Begum on her 2nd death anniversary (14 April 1919 – 23 April 2013) This year started with Naushad, who was followed by C Ramchandra. We have since seen their close duel with Amirbai Karnataki. Consequently, some  readers were surprised not to see a similar comparison in my last post on Shamshad Begum’s songs […]

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Best Songs of 1951: Wrap Up 2

Amirbai Karnataki, Rajkumari, Zeenat Begum, Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt, Sandhya Mukherjee September 6, 2014

Songs of Yore Award for the Best ‘Other’ Female Playback Singer goes to? In the previous two series for 1953 and 1955, I had one Wrap Up for the best female playback singer, and unlike the question mark for male singers, the by-line for female singer had a straightforward: “And the Award goes to Lata, […]

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East meets West: Shamshad Begum’s songs by SD Burman

SD Burman and Shamshad Begum April 23, 2014

A tribute on Shamshad Begum’s first death anniversary April 23 As the ethnic stereotypes go, no two people can be further apart from each other than a Bengali and a Punjabi. SD Burman and Shamshad Begum were the leading lights of the two extremes – East Bengal and the West Punjab, yet when they combined they […]

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Best songs of 1953: Wrap Up 2

Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum, Asha Bhosle September 18, 2013

Songs of Yore award for the Best Female Playback Singer goes to Lata, Lata,.…..Lata Mangeshkar Continuing the string of posts on the best songs of 1953, and Wrap Up 1 on the best male playback singer, I present here the second wrap up on the best female playback singer, based on the readers’ comments and […]

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In conversation with Minoo Mumtaz

Minoo Mumtaz April 26, 2013

Wishing her Happy 71st Birthday on April 26, 2013 I am not a journalist, nor am I in a line which should bring me anywhere near film people. Yet, here I was having a relaxed conversation with Minoo Mumtaz in her apartment in Pune, a few months back. Some stories are epic in scale. This […]

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Songs of River

Thumbnail image for Songs of River July 1, 2012

In an interesting coincidence when this site carried Subodh’s article on music from the mountains, Harvey was doing songs of clouds. Mountains and clouds share a very intimate relationship. Their union gives rise to rivers. With this pedigree, it is no wonder some of the most beautiful songs are based on river, though no Raga […]

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