Naseem Begum(1936-1971)

Naseem Begum was a Pakistani female film playback singer active in the 1950s to 1960s period. She was born in Amritsar, British India. Her family had a liking for music and her mother was also a singer.She got her initial musical training from Mukhtar Begum who was the elder sister of famous Pakistani classical singer Farida Khanum . She also trained with Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan.Her big breakthrough came when famed music director Ghulam Ahmed Chishti had her sing some songs in film Guddi Gudda (1956).Then the composer Sheharyar used her voice in his film Begunah (1958)and was impressed with her wide vocal range.She won the prestigious Nigar Awards for Best Female Playback Singer in years 1960,1961,1963 and 1964 in Pakistan.People were shocked to hear the news of her sudden death on 29 September 1971,when she passed away during childbirth related complications in a Lahore hospital at the young age of only 35. Her hit film songs are still fondly remembered and still listened to in 2015 in Pakistan.