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Pakistani singer (1942–1990) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Naseem Begum (Punjabi, Urdu: نسِیم نازلی; 9 November 1942 – 5 March 1990), known professionally as Mala (Urdu: مالا), was a Pakistani playback singer of Urdu and Punjabi films.[2]
Mala Begum | |
---|---|
مالا بیگم | |
Born | Naseem Nazli November 9, 1942 |
Died | March 5, 1990 47) | (aged
Other names | Princess Mala Begum[1] Mala |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1961–1990 |
Spouse | Muhammad Ashiq Butt (divorced) |
Children | 1 |
Relatives | Shamim Nazli (sister) |
Awards | Nigar Award for Best Playback Singer (1962) Nigar Award for Best Playback Singer (1965) |
In the 1960s, Mala was a 'hit pair for singing duet film songs' with famous playback singer Ahmed Rushdi and they gave numerous hits to Pakistan film industry.[3] She was also called Princess Mala Begum as she provided the singing voice for actresses who portrayed roles of royal and upper-class families in films.[1] She sang many popular film songs spanning almost three decades of her singing career in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.[4]
Mala's given name was Naseem Begum. She was born on 9 November 1942 in Faisalabad, Punjab.[2][5] She was the younger sister of music composer Shamim Nazli.[1]
Mala was interested in singing and music from a young age. Her elder sister Shamim Nazli happened to be her first music teacher and Naseem learned the basics of music from her.[6] On her sister's request, music composer, Baba Ghulam Ahmed Chishti recorded two songs for the Punjabi film Aabroo (1961) in Mala's voice.[7] However, the film flopped. Despite the fact that her elder sister got her a break in films, it was the film producer Anwar Kamal Pasha who persuaded Naseem to try her luck and not give up on the Pakistani film industry. Her first hit in films came in 1962. She changed her name to Mala and sang a simple Urdu composition, Aaya re dekho for the film Sooraj Mukhi (1962).[5] The music was composed by Master Abdullah. In 1962, Mala rendered her voice to a tragic Urdu composition, Dil daeta hai ro ro duhai, kisi sey koi pyaar na karey for the film Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1962).[8] The music was composed by Master Inayat Hussain and the song was picturised on actress Yasmin and this film song ended up being a popular song of 1962. The film song lyrics were written by Qateel Shifai.[4][5]
Additionally, Mala's greatest accomplishment was the film song 'Akele Na Jaana' in the film Armaan (1966 film). Mala teamed up with music director Sohail Rana and film songs writer Masroor Anwar.[2]
Besides Urdu language film songs, she also sang many memorable popular film songs for films in the Punjabi language.[2]
Mala married twice but both of her marriages failed miserably. She had a daughter from husband Muhammad Ashiq Butt who was a film producer and she named her daughter after her musical iconic film, Naila.[9][10][11]
Mala died on 5 March 1990 and was laid to rest at Miani Sahib Graveyard, Lahore. Later her sister was also buried near her grave.[2][5]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Title | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962 | Nigar Award | Best Playback Singer | Won | Ishq Par Zor Nahin | [16][5] |
1965 | Nigar Award | Best Playback Singer | Won | Naila | [17][5] |
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