A few days ago, was International Human Solidarity Day and it is observed globally to highlight the importance of unity in diversity. The film industry, in my opinion, is a perfect example of both secularism and unity in art that often includes strangers in life-long bonds. My mind wanders to a voice that mesmerised an entire generation of music lovers, ‘Mujhko apne gale lagaa lo, o mere humrahi…’ from Humrahi and and ‘Bemurrawwat bewafa begana dil…’ from Susheela are songs that are going to haunt us forever.
Yesteryear singer, Mubarak Begum with her trademark style left an indelible mark on her audience, who in her last years lived in penury in a small by-lane of Mumbai’s Western suburbs.
Though widely appreciated in the ’50s and the ’60s, the songstress never made it as a frontrunner because her voice did not suit the image of a leading lady, the way Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhosle did and as a result she got very few opportunities to showcase her talent. The non-acceptance hurt and with time, Mubarak Begum faded out of public memory.
To be continued