BA
Singer

Begum Akhtar

Born 7 October 1914 · Uttar Pradesh — Died 30 October 1974

Popularized ghazal singing in India and earned the title 'Mallika-e-Ghazal' for her mastery.

Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, also known as Begum Akhtar, was an Indian singer and actress. Dubbed "Mallika-e-Ghazal", she is regarded as one of the greatest singers of ghazal, dadra, and thumri genres of Hindustani classical music.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Begum Akhtar wept with joy upon returning to public singing in 1949 after a forced five-year silence imposed by her in-laws post-marriage.

The Story

1
🎤 In 1934, 15-year-old Begum Akhtar gave a public concert to aid victims of the Nepal–Bihar earthquake, where Sarojini Naidu praised her singing, marking her rise beyond private mehfils.
2
She cut her first music disc with the Megaphone Record Company in the mid-1930s, pioneering female presence in recorded ghazal and thumri music.
3🎬 Between 1933 and 1942, Begum Akhtar acted in Hindi films like "King for a Day" and Mehboob Khan’s "Roti," while simultaneously maintaining her classical music career.
4After marrying barrister Ishtiaq Ahmed Abbasi in 1945, she faced a five-year hiatus due to family restrictions but returned in 1949 with radio recordings in Lucknow that expressed deep personal relief.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

At age seven, Begum Akhtar was deeply inspired by theatre artist Chandra Bai and soon after began training under sarangi maestro Ustad Imdad Khan in Patna, a rare start for a young girl in early 20th-century India.

📸 Through the Years

📷

No photos yet

Help preserve history — add a photo of this icon

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh
Akhtari Bai Faizabadi was born to lawyer Asghar Hussain and Mushtari in Faizabad, beginning a life that would later redefine Indian classical music.
1914
⚡
Career
First public performance at age 15
Begum Akhtar gave her first public concert, which caught the attention of Sarojini Naidu during a charity event for Nepal-Bihar earthquake victims.
1929
⚡
Career
Film debut in 'King for a Day'
She acted in the film 'King for a Day' (Ek Din Ka Badshah), marking her involvement in early Indian cinema while continuing her music career.
1933
🌟
Other
Marriage to Ishtiaq Ahmed Abbasi
Marriage led to a five-year hiatus from singing due to family restrictions, a rare enforced silence that deeply affected her personal and professional life.
1945
⚡
Career
Return to public singing via radio
She recorded ghazals and dadras on Lucknow Radio, expressing joy and relief after years away from performance.
1949
🏅
Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award received
Awarded for vocal music, recognizing her mastery in ghazal, dadra, and thumri genres near the end of her life.
1972
🕊️
Death
Death of Begum Akhtar
Passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence Indian classical and light music.
1974
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
💡SURPRISING

She sang not only in Urdu and Hindi but also recorded the Bengali classic 'Jochona Koreche Aari' for All India Radio, showcasing her linguistic and musical versatility.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Begum Akhtar briefly taught at the Bhatkhande College of Music in Lucknow and mentored noted disciples like Shanti Hiranand and Rita Ganguly, linking her legacy to formal music education.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

She performed her own songs in films during the 1930s, a rare combination of acting and classical singing in that era’s Indian cinema.

No quote recorded for Begum Akhtar yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Begum Akhtar Documentary based on her life and work by Rekhta.org
More from this archive
Begum Akhtar Documentary based on her life and work by Rekhta.org
01
Begum Akhtar Documentary based on her life and work by Rekhta.org
Begum Akhtar Speaks: Interview to Qaisar Qalandar in Kashmir plus bits and pieces
02
Begum Akhtar Speaks: Interview to Qaisar Qalandar in Kashmir plus bits and pieces
Kaifi Azmi interviews Begum Akhtar for All India Radio
03
Kaifi Azmi interviews Begum Akhtar for All India Radio
Rare Vintage All India Radio Interview of Begum Akhtar By Qaisar Qalandar
04
Rare Vintage All India Radio Interview of Begum Akhtar By Qaisar Qalandar
Ustad Bismillah Khan talks about Begum Akhtar in RKBShow (2004)
05
Ustad Bismillah Khan talks about Begum Akhtar in RKBShow (2004)
Aye Mohabbat - Begum Akhtar
06
Aye Mohabbat - Begum Akhtar

🌱 What changed because of them

Begum Akhtar helped transform ghazal singing from private mehfil settings to public concert stages and radio broadcasts, broadening its audience across linguistic and cultural lines. Her pioneering recordings and performances influenced subsequent generations and helped institutionalize light classical genres in India’s cultural canon. Awards like the Sangeet Natak Akademi and Padma honors posthumously recognized her role in shaping Hindustani classical music's popular appeal.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about Begum Akhtar?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of Begum Akhtar...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?