Mehnaz Begum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1958 |
| Died | 19 January 2013 (aged 55) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer,filmplayback singer |
| Years active | 1972–2013 |
| Parent | Kajjan Begum (mother) |
| Awards | 13Nigar Awards Lux Style Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) (2011) |
Mehnaz Begum (Urdu:مہناز بیگم, 1958 – 19 January 2013) was aPakistani TV, radio, and film singer. She was well known as afilmplayback singer in the 1970s and 1980s. She was the recipient of severalNigar Awards.[1][2]
Mehnaz was born atMahmudabad, Uttar Pradesh,India in 1958. Her family migrated toPakistan in the late 1950s. She received her initial training in music from her motherKajjan Begum who was also a singer.[1][3]
Mehnaz started her career as a playback singer in the early 1970s. Saleem Gilani, the director general ofRadio Pakistan, Karachi first spotted her doing a concert at her college and helped her.Mehdi Hassan and his elder brother Pandit Ghulam Qadir trained her at this radio station for about a month. Her melodious voice, musical training and control over her voice made her popular among the Pakistani film music directors.[4]
She sang a variety of genres but specialized inghazal,thumri,dadra,khayal,drupad and reciting salam,noha andmarsiya. She was the daughter of celebratedsub-continental singer Kajjan Begum. and the famous government officer Abdullah Abdullah Tasnim, but when she realized fame, she changed her name to simply Mehnaz or Mehnaz Begum. She also sang ghazals and light classical music forPakistani television shows[1][3][4]
Mehnaz never married but some of her favorite hobbies included bird-watching and admiring nature. Her favorite television show and movie wasFranklin (TV series) (life of a turtle by the name Franklin) andBambi (1942 animated movie by Disney Studios). Mehnaz Begum loved to paint in her college days and wanted to choose painting as her career. She also delighted in drawing various flowers and birds.[4]
| Song title | Lyrics by | Music by | Film notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mera Pyar Tere Jeevan Ke Sang Rahega[5] | Masroor Anwar | Nisar Bazmi | Pehchan (1975 film)[5] |
| Pyar Ka Waada Aisay Nibhaen, Koi Juda Karne Na Pai[5] | Taslim Fazli | Khalil Ahmed | Aaj Aur Kal (1976) |
| Mujhe Dil Se Na Bhulana[5] | Taslim Fazli | Robin Ghosh | Aina |
| Tere mere piyar ka aisa naata hai | Riaz Arshad | Kamal Ahmed | Salakhein (1977) |
| Jaisi Tasveer Banai Hai Mere Saajan Ne | Taslim Fazli | Wajid Nashad | Parastish (1977 film)[1] |
| Mein Jis Din Bhula Doon Tera Pyar Sajna[5] | Masroor Anwar | M. Ashraf | Khushboo (1979)[5] |
| Do Pyaasay Dil Aik Huay Hain Aise[1] | Taslim Fazli | Robin Ghosh | Bandish[1] |
| Sachha Tera Naam, Tu Hi Bigre Banai Kaam | Masroor Anwar | Nisar Bazmi | Biwi Ho Tau Aisi (1982 film)[5] |
| Song title | Lyrics by |
|---|---|
| Ae Meri Sar Zameen e Watan | |
| Lutf Woh Ishq Mein | Dagh Dehlvi |
| Har Cheez Hai Mehve Khudnomai | Muhammad Iqbal |
| Song title | Lyrics by | Music |
|---|---|---|
| Kajrari Ankhiyon Mein Nindya Na Aye | Niaz Ahmed | |
| Bichray Meet Ab Aan Milay Hein (Co-singer:Muhammad Ifrahim) | Shabi Farooqui | Sohail Rana |
| Naina Jaagte Rehna | Hafeez Jalandhari | Sohail Rana |
| Jayon Main Kahan | Sohail Rana |
She died on 19 January 2013 at aBahrain hospital while transiting fromKarachi to Miami, Florida for medical treatment of a respiratory ailment. Her condition worsened during the flight and during a stopover at the Bahrain airport, she was taken to a hospital where she died. Mehnaz was laid to rest atWadi-e-Hussain graveyard in Sohrab Goth Karachi.[3][1]