Begum, Firoza

Begum, Firoza (1930-2014) renowned Nazrul Sangeet singer, notation writer and social activist in Bangladesh. She was born on 28 July 1930 in Ghana Para (thana), Faridpur district. Her father, Khan Bahadur Muhammad Ismail, was a prominent lawyer, who started his job at Alipur Court in West Bengal, India. He was the first Muslim government lawyer during the British period. In recognition of his contributions, the British government conferred the title ‘Khan Bahadur’ on him. As a social activist, he established schools, colleges, hospitals, etc. He was also fond of music. Firoza’s mother Kowqabunnesa was also a wise lady.

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Firoza Begum

Singer Firoza Begum had started to learn vocal music on her own at an early age of eight. Her musical journey began when she auditioned for a radio show at All India Radio. She performed Kazi Nazrul’s (vocal) songs. She passed and was enlisted as a Child Artist— all of which happened when she was only in sixth grade. The talented young Firoza used to practice drama, dance, recitation, swimming simultaneously and stood first in school competitions.

During her musical journey, she had two teachers: Chittya Roy and Kamol Das Gupta. Kamol Das Gupta was an eminent vocal artist and music composer and he worked with Kazi Nazrul Islam for many years. Firoza Begum later married Kamol Das Gupta with whose help her music carrier accelerated much further. He passed away on 20 July, 1974.

Firoza Begum became famous for Nazrul Sangeet and had many fans and supporters. She was also very skilled in performing modem songs, Geet Gazal, Qawali, Bhajon, Hamd, Naat, Light Classical and Rabindra Sangeet. In total, she had is her credit 12 Long plays, 12 EPs, 6 CDs and 15 to 20 cassettes.

Firoza Begum had performed in various countries of the world, where she put an extraordinary amount of effort for promoting Bengali songs. She performed several times in China, America, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, and India. It has been said that she performed 380 solo performances all over the world.

She was not only a singer but also a notation writer for some Nazrul songs. She continued writing notation while Nazrul was sick and later published them from ‘Haraf Publisher’ in 1960. Afterwards, she wrote more notations for about 100 songs. Bangla Academy had published these in three parts during the Pakistan period. Later, she did 50 more songs for Nazrul Academy and 100 songs for ‘Bai Ghar’ which unfortunately, were not published.

Besides her music carrier, she was a social activist, too. She hosted charity shows for the establishment of BARDEM Hospital on request of Dr. Ibrahim. She was honored by being made life Member of that Hospital. Further, she organized charity shows for ‘Thakur Pukur Cancer Center’ and ‘Welfair Home’ in Kolkata as well. She was Head of the board of ‘Nazrul Sangeeter Bani o Surer Satyan’ (Authentication of Kazi Nazrul’s Lyric and Tune) and ‘Swaralipir Shuddhata Jachai’ (Authenticating of Notation) in Kabi Nazrul Institute. In 1985, she was made the Head of the Board of ‘Nazrul Sangeet Sharalipi Pramanikaran Parishad’ at the Kabi Nazrul Institute.

Firoza Begam achieved innumerable awards and honors from all over the world. The list includes ‘Shadhinota Padak’, ‘Akushey Padak’, ‘Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Sharna Padak’, ‘Jatia Television Puraskar’, ‘Sequence Award of Honor’, ‘AK Fazlul Haque Sharak’, ‘Nawab Sir Salimullah Sharak’, ‘Comilla BARD Sharna Padak’, ‘Nasiruddin Sharna Padak’, ‘Jashimuddin Sharna Padak’, ‘Begum Jebunnesa Trust Sharna Padak’, ‘Bangladesh Sangbadik Samiti’s ‘Mukta Bibek Award’, ‘Bangla Academy Fellowship’, ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Sharak’, ‘Shattyajit Roy Sharak’, ‘Nazrul Academy Churulia Sharna Padak’, Best Award from Assam, Tripura and West Bengal joint venture, and DLit from Burdwan University.

Leaving three sons behind, the ever-talented artist Firoza Begum breathed her last on 9 September 2014. [Leena Taposi Khan]

References Mubarak Hossain Khan (ed.), Sangit Sadhak Oviadhan, Bangla Academy 2003; Nazrul Institute Journal–Souvenir, Dhaka 1998.