Shamshad Begum was born in 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab, to a conservative Muslim family. But before she set down the mike for good, she left her fans with several evergreen hits that continue to be enjoyed till date. Incidentally, this is the first ever 'filmi' felicitation she has received, despite a long and illustrious singing career.Ī picture of grace and elegance, Shamshad Begum, now leads a retired life in Powai, a suburb of Mumbai, with her daughter and son-in-law. Nayyar award for her contribution to Hindi film music. Nayyar Foundation announced that they were going to present the grand old lady of Bollywood with the prestigious O.P. Almost three decades after she stopped recording, she received the Padma Bhushan, a civilian award given by the Government of India.Īnd, just a day before that honour came her way, the Pune-based O.P. The year has already begun on a memorable note for her. Burman, Shamshad Begum turns 90 on April 14. One of the first female playback singers of the Hindi film industry and the woman whose golden voice inspired melody geniuses like O.P. While the remixed tunes are a rage at the clubs, few youngsters would be able to name the person behind the groovy voice they love so much: Musical legend Shamshad Begum. 'Mere piya gaye rangoon', 'Leke pehla pehla pyar', 'Kabhi aar khabhi paar' - these retro Hindi numbers are part of every popular DJ's play list these days.