Kajjan Begum (1932 – 2000) was a Pakistani classical and a film playback singer. Before migrating to Pakistan, she was a famous singer in India.[1]
Kajjan Begum | |
|---|---|
| Born | Imam Bandi 24 January 1932 |
| Died | 10 February 2000 (aged 68) |
| Education | Lucknow School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1940 – 2000 |
| Spouse | Akhtar Wasi Ali (husband) |
| Children | Mehnaz Begum (daughter) |
| Parent | Hussaini Begum (mother) |
| Relatives | Ishrat Jehan (sister) Shamim Bano (sister) |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan (2001) |
Early life
editKajjan Begum's birth name was Imam Baandi. She was born in Lucknow, British India on 24 January 1932.[2] Her mother, Hussaini Begum and her two younger sisters, Ishrat Jehan and Shamim Bano were also singers.[3] She was schooled in classical singing with her two sisters at the Lucknow School.[4]
Career
editShe started singing Marsiya with her mother in 1940. She was later employed at Mohammad Amir Ahmed Khan's (Raja Saheb of Mahmudabad) palace, where she would sing songs and recite elegies during religious days and in the month of Muharram.[5] On other days, she would sing thumris, kajris, dadras, purbi geets and light classical Hindustani music.[1]
Kajjan Begum remained in India after the Partition of India for some time and became a popular singer there. In the early 1950s, she migrated to Pakistan with her family.[6][1][7] She later started singing on Radio Pakistan, Karachi. She also trained her daughter Mehnaz Begum in classical music.[6]
In 1962, film producer Fazal Ahmad Karim Fazli offered her a chance to sing for his film Chiragh Jalta Raha (1962 film),[8] to which she agreed. The film was a Silver Jubilee box office hit. It was premiered by Fatima Jinnah, the chief guest in the opening ceremony held at Nishat Cinema, Karachi.
Awards
editShe was honored with the Pride of Performance award from the Government of Pakistan for her contributions to the music Industry in 2001.[2]
Personal life
editKajjan Begum married co-singer Akhtar Wasi Ali in 1952,[8] with whom she had four children including Mehnaz Begum, who grew up to become a popular singer in Pakistan.[1]
Death
editKajjan Begum died on 10 February 2000 in Karachi, Pakistan at age 68.[8]
Songography
edit| Song title | Sung by | Lyrics by | Music by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaahe Ko Biyahi Pardes Babul Mere | Kajjan Begum | Traditional wedding song | Nihal Abdullah | Film Chiragh Jalta Raha (1962)[2] |
| Yeh Hari Hari Chooriyan[9] | Kajjan Begum | Traditional wedding song | Pakistan Television production (1985) | |
| Bannay Jhuk Jhuk Jaiyyo Susral Galliyan | Kajjan Begum | Traditional wedding song | Pakistan Television production (1985) |
Awards and recognition
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Pride of Performance | Award by the President of Pakistan | Won | Arts | [2][8] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "In memoriam: Curtains drawn on Mehnaz". Dawn newspaper. 26 January 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "صدارتی تمغہ برائے حسن کارکردگی۔ کجن بیگم (Pride of Performance Award for Kajjan Begum in 2001)". Tareekh-e-Pakistan website. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "کجن بیگم کی بہن وگلوکارہ مہناز کی خالہ گلوکارہ عشرت جہاں انتقال کر گئیں". Nawa-i-Waqt. 1 August 2023.
- ^ "کجن بیگم کلاسیکی گلوکارہ". Nigar Magazine: 134.
- ^ Aneesh Pradhan (22 September 2018). "In the month of Muharram, listen to these sozkhwani recitations by classical music maestros (including Kajjan Begum)". Scroll.in (India) website. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ a b Peerzada Salman (20 January 2013). "Singer Mehnaz Begum dies". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "Renowned singer Mehnaz passes away". Dawn newspaper. 28 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d "کجن بیگم کی وفات (Kajjan Begum dies)". Tareekh-e-Pakistan website. 10 February 2000. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "Kajjan Begum - Wedding Songs, Vol.2". EMI Pakistan website. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.