Remembering Feroza Begum and her legacy
Feroza Begum is a singer who dominated the world of Nazrul Sangeet for decades. In her illustrious seven-decade career, Feroza Begum performed in a record number of 380 solo musical shows, home and abroad. Before she passed away, she released as many as 12 LPs, four EPs, six CDs and more than 20 audio albums.
In honour of the legend's sixth death anniversary, we look back on her early career days and her tutelage under the National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
To the young Feroza Begum, singing was an undeniable part of life, as she picked up the tunes from the gramophone records in her house. She first sang on All India Radio when she was a student of class 6.
It was around the age of 12, her first album was released. Chitta Roy, the personal assistant of Kazi Nazrul Islam, composed both the Islamic songs, Morur Bukey Jibon Dhara and Nabiji Esho Go in the album. She was fortunate enough to come across Chitta Roy and later on, composer extraordinaire Kamal Dasgupta.
It was under the Kamal Dasgupta, who went on to become her husband, that she matured in semi-classical music. Both Kamal Dasgupta and Kazi Nazrul Islam's composed songs found a natural voice in Feroza Begum.
Feroza Begum ventured in other genres as Adhunik, Urdu Geet, Ghazal, Thumri and even Rabindra Sangeet at times. But her undeniable contribution to Nazrul Sangeet gained her the ultimate popularity.
The singer's encounter with the National poet for the first time was at a radio station. Upon their first meet, an unbreakable bond was formed. Under Nazrul's teaching and guidance, Feroza Begum went on to voice some of the most iconic songs by the poet. During the time of the poet's dying ailment, Feroza Begum continued to give life to his masterful penmanship.
Over her illustrious career, Feroza Begum immortalised Nazrul Sangeet at home and abroad, performing in Delhi, Paris, London and New York among other cultural capitals worldwide.
Six years after her death, Ferzoa Begum is still the first name that comes to mind when it comes to Nazrul Sangeet. Nazrul Sangeet and Feroza Begum's name are almost synonymous and will remain so for many more years.
Over the seven decades of her masterful career, Feroza inspired millions of people with her powerful voice. Being a young girl who overcame familial and other various obstacles to follow the passion of music, she once shared "To me, singing was as natural as breathing." Her compassion for music and Nazrul Sangeet, was inspiring and revitalising at the same time.
In a world of globalisation and continuous change in the music industry, the young generation's interest in classical music and other traditional genres are struggling to survive. But even now, the new generation of musicians continue to respect and honour Feroza Begum's legacy. Her charming and melodious voice captured the hearts of millions during her lifetime, and will continue to do so for many more years to come.
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