On the 1st of June, 1929, a baby girl was born to singer-courtesan Jaddan Bai whom she named Fatima Rashid. The talkies were yet to arrive in India while this girl was  growing. This happened just two years later with Alam Ara. Her mother started dabbling in hindi films in various capacities. Jaddan Bai was one of the pioneer lady composer, singer and producer. When her daughter was just six, she acted in the film Talash-e-Haq as Baby Nargis. This was the year 1935, when playback singing was introduced for the first time (in the film Dhoop Chhaon). Nargis thus became her stage name and thus, her film journey began.  

Few years later, Mehboob Khan, an upcoming producer-director, just fresh from the success of his first film Najma (An Ashok Kumar, Veena, Sitara starrer),  was searching for a new face for his next movie, Taqdeer. He decided on choosing the barely 14, Nargis, to be the heroine with Motilal as the hero. This was one of the first of the "lost at the Kumbh Mela" stories. A boy and girl get their parents swapped at the Kumbh Mela. They grow up and meet only to fall in love with each other. Class differences don't allow them to meet till predictably their true identities are revealed! Mehboob Khan, the perfectionist chose Rafiq Ghaznavi (who had also composed Najma) as the composer. A new voice from Lahore was wowing fans all over India and they decided to bring that  voice to Bombay. That voice was Shamshad Begum. It was thus that the partnership of Nargis and Shamshad started. Almost all the songs featured Shamshad and were a big rage. The solos picturised on Nargis were a big hit as were the duets sung with hero Motilal himself.
One of the solos is, "Mera Maika Ho Ya Sasuraal Mujhe Dono Taraf Ka Khayaal" is extremely beautiful with Shamshad ji brilliantly bringing out the emotions of a woman who takes care of her husband's and parents home  equally. The beauty of the song is to be heard and cherished.



In a second solo, "Babu Darogaji Kaun Qasoor Pe Dhar Liye Saiyaan More", Shamshad continues with the same form, bringing out the protagonist's pining for the lover  when he is away.



A third solo, Mere Man ki Duniya Basa di was also a big hit. Here again Shamshad shows her class. The picturisation is on Nargis in the theatre where she is the dancer. Till the video is available, enjoy the audio.

In a sad mood, when Nargis sings, "Tumse Duniya Mujhe Chhudaati Hai Aakhri Aas toot Jaati hai", one clearly sees what the combination is capable of.

The duets are no different. Sample, this duet, "Aap aap Kyun Kyun Aayenge Meri Aankhon Mein Ab Tak Wohi Khaab Hai". What lovely lyrics and what justice is done by Shamshad ji. Motilal also provides good support in a Sehgal inspired tone.

Then there is the duet,  "Oh Jaane waale aa ja tadpaane waale aa ja" with Motilal.

What a lovely pleading to the lover to return and how lovingly is the sentiment returned by Motilal. Wow is the word for the song.

Then there is the lovely, "Chham Chham Chham Ghanghor Ghataayen Chhayen." When Shamshad ji sings, Chham Chham that unmistakable Khanak fills your heart with such great joy. Shamshad in those days could do no wrong.

 

This movie is definitely a big bang arrival to Bombay for the duo, Nargis and Shamshad. Wish the film video would be made available for all to appreciate even more. Shamshad's range is amply on display here and a joy forever.

After this lovely musical treat, the duo returned again two years later for another magnum Opus, Humayun(1945) again for Mehboob Khan. This time the composer was none other than Ghulam Haider himself. Here Shamshad was her voice again on screen (the records had Rajkumari singing the songs). With such a team at work, naturally one's expectations from the songs increases and one isn't disappointed. We get treated to lots of lovely Shamshad songs yet again. Each song is a gem to be enjoyed and not talked about. So, here are the songs to be enjoyed by one and all.

 

The most  popular one was probably, "Naina Bhar Aaye Neer"

Then we have the lovely "Main To Odhoon Gulabi Chunariya Aaj Re"

Then there is that lovely song saying that "Husn Kehta Ja Raha Hai Baadshahi Kuchh Nahi"

Then we have that lovely song talking about what misery can  do to two hearts in love, "Dono Hi Ko Bigdi Qismat Ne Deewana Bana Kar Chhod Diya"

Then there is that lovely solo which should really be talked about more often, "Chaand Chamka Andhere Mein Aaj Hai". When Shamshad sings Chaand Chamka, that sparkle of the moon does penetrate into your heart bringing it much needed peace.

Then we also have Shamshad praying  to god for her prayers to be answered with "Meri Duaon Ka Ya Rab Asar Dikha Dena".

As often happens in love, one talks to the moon asking various queries, where Shamshad ji sings "Ae Chaand Tu Bata De"

And then ofcourse, is another nice love ditty by Shamshad, "Rasm-e-Ulfat Kisi Surat Se Nibhaye Na Bane"

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And finally a song sung by Khan Mastana with Shamshad ji leading the chorus, "Jo Desh Hamara Kal Tak Nahi Tha"

 

It was no surprise that due to the success of these two movies and their songs, the star of the duo rose like no other.

Nargis acted in a self titled movie in 1946 which had Amirbai and Zohrabai were the main singers. Nargis also acted in Mehandi in 1947. Shamshad is known to have sung atleast one song in this movie (Oh Door Jaane Waale Aati hai Yaad Aa ja). However, due to the absence of the audio-video it is difficult to say how many Shamshad songs feature in the movie and on whom they are picturised one. (Begum Para also
starred in the movie). Romeo and Juliet(1947) produced by Nargis Art Concerns (Nargis's home banner made by Jaddanbai) and directed by her brother Akhtar Hussain probably had no Shamshad songs (Zohrabai being the playback singer). Similar was the case with Anokha Pyar(1947). These movies were not as successful though.

The duo were to appear again in 1948 for the movies Aag and Mela, both of which proved to be milestones in the career of Nargis. Not only did Shamshad sing her songs here but She was to act with two actors with whom she did many more films, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar respectively. She also acted with Jairaj in Anjuman (with whom she acted in a few movies like Darogaji and Sagar later) the same year which was also a Nargis Art Concerns release.

Mela was the first pairing of Nargis and Dilip Kumar which went on to become a huge hit. Shamshad again got lots of songs to show her skills. Munavvar sultana was the other heroine of the movie.
The songs of the movie are:-

1. Pardes Balam Tum Jaaoge where we are treated to the duo in a mesmerising mood.

2. Gham Ka Fasana Kise Sunayen is a second song with Shamshad bringing out the heroine in pain which Nargis was to play so often in her career.

3. The third is that lovely , Mohan ki Muraliya Baaje. Shamshad sings it excellently and is a highlight of the movie.

4. The fourth solo is another sad song talking about fate with Taqdeer Bani Ban Ke Bigdi.

5. Aayi Sawan Ritu Aayi, a lovely song sung with Mukesh talking about the arrival of the season of love and picturised with Dilip Kumar.

 

6. Main Bhanwra Tu Hai Phool is another lovely duet with Mukesh. Both throaty voices create a heady cocktail.

7. Mera Dil Todne Waale Mere Dil Ki Dua Lena is another fabulous duet with Mukesh here.

Naushad sahab extracted the best from  Shamshad ji in this movie.

The same year when Raj Kapoor started his banner he wanted Shamshad ji only to sing for him. Composer Ram Ganguly was  to give the music but Shamshad ji was keeping very busy those days. When he contacted her he introduced him as Prithviraj Kapoor's son. Always ready to help newcomers, She told him that She used to keep some personal time for herself after lunch. The big-hearted Shamshad agreed to forego that luxury to practice for the songs of his movie which was to become Aag. The movie's songs were a big hit although the movie itself wasn't very successful.
The most popular solo of the movie was Kaahe Koyal Shor Machaye Re.

The other songs were not much far behind in popularity though.
When Nargis intoned Na Aankhon Mein Aansoo Na Hothon Pe Haaye Magar Muddat Hui Muskuraye, it was Shamshad who was pouring tears of grief into the listener's heart.

When Nargis sang Dil toot gaya ji chhoot gaya qismat ne mitaakar chhod diya, the listener's heart too feels the pain of heartbreak.

Shamshad also sang a lovely duet with Rafi, Solah Baras Ki Bhayi Umariya. Both magicians weave their magic hear and fill the heart with the joy of youth.

Then there was a duet with Mukesh which probably was not picturised on Nargis though. The song Raat Ko Ji Bole Papeehara Dekh Balam Mora Dole Jeeyara which is quite a fun listen.

Shamshad ji also sang a duet with Sailesh Mukherjee, Dekh Chaand Ki Or. However it featured only on the records. (The film version had Sailesh Mukherjee singing with Meena Kapoor ji).

The movie laid the foundation of the Raj Kapoor-Nargis collaboration which was to become one of the most loved romantic couples of Hindi films.

As discussed above, Nargis Art Concerns launched its movie Anjuman the same year. Here also in keeping with the trend as many as seven songs were sung by Shamshad Begum only. The composer was of course their regular Bulo C Rani. (He was  to do Darogaji for them next year with Geeta Roy as the main voice).
Out of the seven songs given to Shamshad, five are solos and two are duets.

The first is a lovely solo, Haal-e-dil Kise Sunayen which beautifully brings the emotions of love beautifully.

 

The second song is Kaise Aannkhon Se Chhupa ke.

 

 

The third song, Phir Mere Dil Mein Woh Aane Lage, beautifully shows how love doesn't leave the heart.

 

The fourth song has a smile coming on our faces with the duo singing, Mere Honthon Par Hansi Hai.

 

Then we have a lovely duet with Mukesh, Kaise Bataoon Un Se Dil Ka Haal. A very common feeling where a lover can't express love to the beloved but the song does that so well.

 

 

Then there is the lovely solo, Aa Ke Wohi Yaad Sataaye. Indeed it is difficult to forget some memories.

 

Last but not the least, We have Shamshad being joined by Geeta Roy with Pyaari Tera Mera Pyaar. Both legends create such a beautiful song. May their names be never forgotten.

 

One only wishes that movie companies would revive movies like Anjuman for the enjoyment of the fans of both Nargis  and Shamshad.

 

In 1949, we see just one song picturised on Nargis but this one is a duet with Lata where Shamshad sings for Cuckoo. The song we are talking about here is the superhit, Darr Na Mohabbat Kar Le.Some lines though do have Shamshad's voice being lip synched by Nargis. It is a beauty of a song with Nargis and Cuckoo coercing Dilip's character to fall in love!

 

 

Then in 1950 we see the last big extravaganza of the duo in the form of the superhit Baabul where Nargis is again paired with Dilip Kumar. Not all Shamshad songs are picturised on Nargis but all are brilliant.

 

The first is the fabulous, Dhadke Mera Dil Bachpan Yaad Aaye. How effortlessly Shamshad brings about these thoughts of childhood to the listeners. One of their best outings together definitely. Such a beautiful song. It reminds of the listener also of his childhood!

 

 

The second song became a phenomenon. It is played at weddings to this day. I am ofcourse, talking about the iconic, Chhod Babul Ka Ghar Mohe Pee Ke Ghar Jaana Pada. It is a must at all bidaai ceremonies. Infact, Shamshad ji recalled in an interview that during her daughter Usha ji's bidaai when She was  crying this song was played and Shamshad ji started laughing instead amused to see her own song being played!

 

 

The third song is the lovely, Jadoo Bhare Nainon Mein, where we have Nargis trying to enchant Dilip. What a beautiful effort by the actress and her playback too!

 

 

Shamshad sang a duet with Kishore the same year for the movie Pyar which was picturised on Nargis and Raj Kapoor. The song is a lovely one but unfortunately its video is not available. Enjoy the audio meanwhile and appreciate the beauty of both the pairings. A nice fun song sung by Shamshad and Kishore which is a joy forever.

 

 

The following year came Deedar where we see the duo together again.

The song is the lovely, Chaman mein reh ke veerana where Shamshad again displays her mastery in conveying subtle emotions so well. "Khushi mein Gham Kaise Shaamil Kiya jaata Hai Yeh to Koi Shamshad ji Se Hi Seekh Sakta Hai".

 

 

The second is a brilliant one where we see Shamshad pairing with the mellifluous voiced G.M. Durrani who gives playback for Ashok Kumar. Its probably the only song ever picturised on the duo and is a sheer pleasure to listen to. The chemistry of the playback singers and the on-screen pair is fabulous. Its a real tragedy that no one used them together again.They gel so well together.

 

 

After Deedar there was a big gap where we couldn't see Shamshad singing for Nargis. This was because Nargis was exclusively working with Raj kapoor and the composers did not use the duo together. In the few cases where the film did feature Shamshad ji's songs they were picturised on other actresses.

 

The two were brought together in 1957 but sadly for the  last time. Who could have done that? It was of course the person who brought them together for the first time, Mehboob Khan himself! The movie was the legendary, Mother  India.

The movie begins with the marriage of Nargis with Rajkumar. The bidaai song is sung by Shamshad. It is the big hit, Pee Ke Ghar Aaj Pyaari Dulhaniya Chali. It is still remembered today by old timers for its lovely melody. Obviously, we can't see Nargis lip synching to it but its picturised on her alright. It shows the rituals of marriage very well without going over the top bollywood style and presents the rural setup very well.

 

 

The second song of Shamshad ji in the movie was Oh Gaadiwaale Gaadi dheere Haank Re. For most of the song Shamshad sings for Chanchal with Nargis seen only sparingly. Here's the lovely song for all to savour:-

 

 

Finally, we have the chorus song, Dukh Bhare Din  Beete Re Bhaiyya (sung with Rafi, Lata and Manna Dey)  where again we have a few lines of Shamshad ji being sung by Nargis.

 

 

Shamshad ji really gave her best to all songs sung for Nargis and shall never be forgotten. God bless the duo for these treats they have left for us.