Mukhtar Begum, the elder sister of Farida Khanum, was already a highly regarded singer and artist in the 1930s and 40s. Alert readers of the Dog may recall that she was also the musical idol of Pakistan’s (and indeed, India’s) greatest film playback singer, Nur Jehan and the one whose introductions got the young Kasur girl her initial break in the world of the studios. Though she starred in a few films it was her singing of thumris, ghazals and dadras that made her one of the subcontinent's iconic artists. Mukhtar Begum was born in Amritsar. Trained initially by Mian Mehrban Khan in Music, Mukhtar then underwent a long apprenticeship under Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan of Patiala Gharana. Her intense training equipped her well to practise different genres of classical music - Thumri, Dadra and Ghazal. Soon her fame as a melody queen spread far and wide in undivided Punjab. The elite sections of the society invited her to perform mujra’s at their Havelis and mansions. Her melodic skills were also witnessed in the courts of Nawabs and Maharajas in different regions of India.
After some time, Mukhtar Begum shifted to Calcutta, which was then the hub of theatre and films. It was there that she played a lead role in many stage plays, scripted by Agha Hasher. A ravishing beauty Mukhtar Begum was a famous stage dancer in the 1930s. She came in contact with Agha Hasher during a theatre performance. His patronage took her fame to almost celestial heights. Subsequently, the two decided to marry. After partition, she decided to leave India and settled in Lahore. She continued to sing as long as her health permitted. She also broadcast her music from All India Radio. Mukhtar Begum participated in several music conferences organised in pre-partition India. Towards the fag end of her illustrious career, she recorded several ghazals, including many ghazals of Agha Hasher. Her thumri-accented ghazals of classical Urdu poets recorded for the gramophone companies and radio became her identity and also a hallmark of her personality. Mukhtar Begum always chose Punjabi ang style of thumri, though she was not averse to Poorbi style. Her illustrious students, to whom she imparted training in music and performing skills included her sister Farida Khanum, Playback singer Naseem Begum and film star Rani. In her last years, she lived in Karachi, where she passed away on February 25, 1982.
Here is some links of rare songs sung by Mukhtar Begum:
1. Ja Main Tosey Nahin Boloon- • Video
2. Chori Kaheen Khulay Na, Naseem-E-Bahaar Ki- • Chori Kaheen Khulay Na...
3. Meray qaboo me na pehron- • Mukhtar Begum - Meray ...
4. Raag Peeloo (Dadra)- • Video
5. Raag Darbari by Mukhtar Begum • Video
6. Yaad Main Teri Jahan Ko- • Mukhtar begum Sings Ag...
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