Kajjan Begum

Kajjan Begum (1932 2000) was a Pakistani classical and a film playback singer. Before migrating to Pakistan, she was a famous singer in India. Her mother, Hussaini Begum and her two younger sisters, Ishrat Jehan and Shamim Bano were also singers. She was schooled in classical singing with her two sisters at the Lucknow School.

Career She started singing Marsiya with her mother in 1940. She was later employed at Mohammad Amir Ahmed Khan's (Raja Saheb of Mahmudabad) palace, where she would sing songs and recite elegies during religious days and in the month of Muharram. On other days, she would sing thumris, kajris, dadras, purbi geets and light classical Hindustani music. She later started singing on Radio Pakistan, Karachi. She also trained her daughter Mehnaz Begum in classical music.

In 1962, film producer Fazal Ahmad Karim Fazli offered her a chance to sing for his film Chiragh Jalta Raha,

Death Kajjan Begum died on 10 February 2000 in Karachi, Pakistan at age 68.

Discography Song title Sung by Lyrics by Music by Notes Kaahe Ko Biyahi Pardes Babul MereKajjan Begum Traditional wedding songNihal AbdullahFilm Chiragh Jalta Raha (1962) Kajjan Begum Traditional wedding song Pakistan Television production (1985) Bannay Jhuk Jhuk Jaiyyo Susral Galliyan Kajjan Begum Traditional wedding song Pakistan Television production (1985)

Awards and recognition Year Award Category Result Title Ref. 2001 Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan Arts