Kashmir’s melody queen Raj Begum passes away

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 26

The Kashmir valley’s legendary female singer and Padma Shri awardee Raj Begum (89), whose melodious voice mesmerised audiences for seven decades, passed away this morning.

She was born in 1927 and came into the limelight singing at wedding ceremonies. However, Raj Begum became a household name and rose to fame after she started performing on Radio Kashmir in the 1950s and later on Doordarshan. She was awarded Padma Shri in 2002 and Sangeet Akademi Award in 2013.

Her most popular numbers include “Meshreavthas jaanaan”, “Weisiyay gulan aamay bahar”, “Dil chooran hai dil nuem shaman” and “Ruem geayam sheeshas” among others.

Late Sufi folk singer Ghulam Qadir Langoo is credited with having introduced Raj Begum when Radio Kashmir was looking for female vocalists. Originally from Magarmal Bagh, Raj Begum breathed her last at her daughter’s residence at the Chanapora area of the city.

As soon as the news of her passing away spread, her fans began pouring their grief on social networking websites and sharing her old Kashmiri songs. Recalling her contribution, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) secretary Aziz Hajini said she was a ‘visionary’ in the field of music.

“Raj Begum was a visionary in her field and her contribution will always be remembered. Her demise has created a void hard to fill. The Cultural Academy will document her contribution and we are planning to come up with a special ‘Shiraza’ number in her memory,” Hajini said. A condolence meeting was also held on the JKAACL premises here to mourn the death of Raj Begum.

Outpourings of grief

Governor NN Vohra expressed grief over the death of Raj Begum. Recalling her contributions to Kashmiri music, he paid rich tributes to the melody queen whom he had met on several occasions.

The Governor conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed Raj Begum’s demise as an end of a great era in Kashmir’s musical history and a huge loss for the state. She extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

Terming her death as the end of a great era in Kashmir’s musical history, Finance and Culture Minister Haseeb Drabu said: “Kashmir will remain indebted to her for her contribution. She has given us absolutely perfect renditions which popularised music and made her a household name.”

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah also expressed profound grief over the death of the singer. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and his wife and singer Shamima Dev also expressed grief over the demise of Raj Begum.