One of the distinguished names of Hindi film playback singing and non-film ghazal singing was Mubarak Begum, who will always be remembered for her beautiful, classically trained soulful voice and songs like “Devta Tum Ho Mera Sahara,” “Hum Haal-E-Dil Sunaenge,” “Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein Yun Hamari Yaad Aayegi,” “Mujhko Apne Gale Laga Lo Ae Mere Hamrahi,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Mubarak Begum was born on January 5, 1936, in Sujangarh, Rajasthan. Her father was from Nawalgarh, while her mother was from Jhunjhuna. Her fatherb was working as a fruit vendor in Ahmadabad. She moved to Ahmedabad with her family at a young age. Her father was a tabla player and was trained under Ustad Thirakwa Khan Saheb.
Her father noticed Mubarak Begum’s inherent talent of singing and started teaching her basics of classical music. Noticing her progress and enthusias, he arranged for her training. After some time whe her father took her to train under Ustad Riazuddin Khan and Ustad Samad Khan Sahab of the Kirana Gharana. Growingup, Mubarak Begum was very fond of Noor Jehan and Suraiya and greatly influenced by their voice and style. But her extensive classical training resulted in her own unique style.
Mubarak Begum In Films
Soon she got the chance to perform on All India Radio, where she used to sing semi-classical and devotional songs. Her performance on radio attracted the attention of music composer Rafiq Ghaznavi.
After some initial struggle, she sang her first song, “Aa Kar Hum Pachhtaaye Manva,” in the film Chupke Chupke (1948) under the music direction of S.D. Batish, followed by Aaiye (1949), where she sang a dute with Lata, “Aao Chalen Chalen Wahan,” and a solo, “Mohe Aane Lagi Angdai,” under the music direction of Shaukat Haidri.
Throughout the 1950s Mubarak Begum became a prominent figure in Bollywood, lending her voice to numerous films. Some of the notable films, where she lend her voice include “Basera (1950),” “Dolti Nayya (1950),” “Phoolon Ke Haar (1951),” “Mamta (1952),” “Mordhwaj (1952),” ” Sheesha (1952),” “Char Chand (1952),” “Dharm Patni (1953),” “Ameer (1954),” “Aulad (1954),” “Chandni Chowk (1954),” “Gul Bahar (1954),” “Haar Jeet (1954),” ” Shabab (1954),” “Bara-Dari 1955),” “Devdas (1955),” “Tatar Ka Chor (1955),” “Rangeen Raten (1956),” “Gateway Of India (1957),” “Madhumati (1958),” and many more.
Critical Acclaim
In 1952, she sang for Kamal Amrohi’s “Daaera,” under music direction of Jamal Sen. The film starring Meena Kumari and Nasir Khan has songs like “Deep Ke Sang Jaloon Main Aag Mein,” “Devta Tum Ho Mera Sahara,” “Jali Jo Shama Zamane Ko Ho Gaya Maloom,” and “Suno More Naina Suno More Naina,” which are now considered classics.
Her most famous songs are “Woh na aayenge palat kar” from Devdas (1955), “Hum haal-e-dil sunayenghe, sunyay ke na sunyay” from Madhumati (1958), “Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein Yun” from Hamari Yaad Aayegi (1961), “Mujhko Apne Gale Lagalo” from Hamrahi (1963), “Laila Majnu Nautanki” from Teesri Kasam,” “Neend Ud Jaaye Teri, Chain se Sone Wale” from Juaari (1968), “Wada humse kiya, dil kisi ko diya” from Saraswatichandra (1968), and “Sanwariya teri yaad mein ro ro marenge hum” from Ramu Toh Deewana Hai (1980).
Some of the other notable films where she sang were”Ye Dil Kisko Doon (1963),” “Benazir (1964),” “Fariyad (1964),” “Arzoo (1965),” “Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965),” “Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966),” “Sushila (1966),” “Teesri Kasam (1966),” “Around The World (1967),”
Famous Songs
Some of her other memorable songs from 1950s include “Lakh Lakh Taare Liye Jaise Soya Aasman,” “Ae Khuda Majboor Ki Fariyad Hai,” “Ghir Ghir Aaye Badarwa Kaare,” “Nahin Achcha Hai Pyar Bhare Dil Ko Sataana,” “Kya Batayen Chheen Kar Tere Deedar Pe,” “Dil Humse Woh Lagaye,” ” Bhari Mehfil Mein Lutaate Hain Jalwa Dekhnewale,” “Bharat Ke Lok Geet,” and “Jalwa Jo Tera Dekha Humne.”
In the 1960s she sang. “Eji Eji Yaad Rakhna Sanam Pyar Ki Dastan,” “Farishton Ki Nagri Mein,” “Kisi Ne Ishk Walon Ke Liye,” “Humen Dum Dai Ke Sautan Ghar Jana,” “Chand Gagan Mein Ek Hai,” “Chaah Karni Thi Chaah Kar Baithe Zindagi Hum Tabah Kar Baithe,” “Itne Qareeb Aake Bhi Kya Jane Kis Liye,” “Jab Ishq Kahin Ho Jata Ha,” “Ae Dil Bata Ham Kahan Aa Gaye,” “Mehfil Mein Aap Aaye,” “Saqiya Ek Jaam Aur To De,” “Bahut Khubsoorat Hain Aankhen Tumhari,” “Bemuravvat Bewafa Begana-E-Dil Aap Hain,” “Humne Suna Hai Aapne Loota,” among others.
Her last few films were “Subah Zaroor Aayegi (1977),” “Ganga Maang Rahi Balidan (1981),” and “Paanch Qaidi (1981),”
Later Years
Despite her talent, Mubarak Begum remains under rated in hindi films. She rarely get chance to sing for A grade heroins and big films. On the other hand she got immense love in his live programs, which she does when ever she get the chance.
In an interview she quoted “Some leading singers didn’t want me to succeed…. But slowly my songs were cut out. They made sure I got no work. They threw me out,” She also added “The world knows who didn’t let me succeed. I took to singing to look after my family. I didn’t come here for name or fame. My songs were dropped from films or sung again by someone else. They did this with many artistes.” (from an interview in Filmfare).
After her work offers dwindles, she tried hard to get shows. She even go to many singers and performers to ask for work but she don’t get any. The only person who helped him were Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Javed Akhtar. Mangeshkar did some monatry help. Akhtar helped her getting the small flat, from Chief Minister’s quota for artistes.
Mubarak Begum faced financial difficulties later in life. These problems increased when she had a back injury which leave her unable to walk and her daughter’s illness. Her daughter was suffering from Parkinson’s disease, died in October 2015. Begum was living with her son, who was working as driver, and daughter in law. Reportedly her daughter in law informed press that Salman Khan was the only person from film industry who helped Begum in her old age.
Mubarak Begum passed away on July 18, 2016, in Mumbai, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful music that continues to resonate with fans.
Mubarak Begum on IMDB
