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Begum Akhtar

Born October 7, 1914

Died October 30, 1974 · aged 60

Begum Akhtar was born Akhtari Bai Faizabadi. She belonged to an aristocratic family of Lucknow that had fallen on hard times. Later in life she claimed that her father Asghar Hussein had been a judge, and that he had objected strongly to her taking up singing. However, the truth was her mother, Mushtari Begum, sang for a living, and was technically a tawaif. Mushtari Begum soon realised her daught…

Known For

The Music Room

The Music Room · 1958

MovieDramaMusic

An aging, decadent landlord’s passion for music becomes the undoing of his legacy as he sacrifices his wealth in order to compete with the opulent music room of his younger, richer neighbour.

Roti

Roti made in the early 1940s inspired by the German Expressionism, is a real critique of Indian society with prophetic insight. It deals with two models - one of a millionaire, possessed by money and power in an industrial civilisation, the other of a tribal couple living in a primeval state of nature. The millionaire is saved by the couple after an air crash, the tribal couple emigrate to the city, do not find happiness and return. The millionaire is ruined in the city, tries futilely to find salvation among the tribal.

Nursemaid Panna

Nursemaid Panna · 1945

Nursemaid Panna

Set four hundred years ago, Pannadai is an epic tale from Rajasthan centered on the loyal nurse Pannadai. After Rana Sang of Chittorgarh dies, his Queen Karunavati is besieged by Bahadursingh. Pannadai cleverly secures help from Emperor Humayun, but after the Queen's death, she is entrusted with safeguarding the child-king Udai Singh. Pannadai then faces the treacherous schemes of Banbir, Rana Sang's illegitimate son, who seeks to usurp the throne, leading to the ultimate sacrifice of her own son to protect the rightful heir.

Filmography

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The Music Room

The Music Room · 1958

MovieDramaMusic

An aging, decadent landlord’s passion for music becomes the undoing of his legacy as he sacrifices his wealth in order to compete with the opulent music room of his younger, richer neighbour.

Durga Bai

Roti

Roti made in the early 1940s inspired by the German Expressionism, is a real critique of Indian society with prophetic insight. It deals with two models - one of a millionaire, possessed by money and power in an industrial civilisation, the other of a tribal couple living in a primeval state of nature. The millionaire is saved by the couple after an air crash, the tribal couple emigrate to the city, do not find happiness and return. The millionaire is ruined in the city, tries futilely to find salvation among the tribal.

Darling (as Akhtaribai Fayzabadi)

Nursemaid Panna

Nursemaid Panna · 1945

Nursemaid Panna

Set four hundred years ago, Pannadai is an epic tale from Rajasthan centered on the loyal nurse Pannadai. After Rana Sang of Chittorgarh dies, his Queen Karunavati is besieged by Bahadursingh. Pannadai cleverly secures help from Emperor Humayun, but after the Queen's death, she is entrusted with safeguarding the child-king Udai Singh. Pannadai then faces the treacherous schemes of Banbir, Rana Sang's illegitimate son, who seeks to usurp the throne, leading to the ultimate sacrifice of her own son to protect the rightful heir.

Playback Singer