Archive · 3 Sep 2025
Raj Begum: A Pioneer's Journey Through Music and Societal Change
Raj Begum, originally named Rehti, was a woman from Kashmir who loved to sing, even though it was not common for women to sing publicly at the time.
She became the first woman to sing on Radio Kashmir.
Her singing was very popular and helped to connect people.
She faced criticism for her work but kept going.
Later, she received important awards for her contributions to music.
A movie has been made about her life, telling her story of bravery and breaking down social barriers.
Raj Begum was the first woman singer on Radio Kashmir, Srinagar.
She faced societal disapproval for singing publicly early in her career.
Her voice connected with Kashmiris, including with a song about a father's lost son.
She received national awards, including the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
A film called "Songs of Paradise" is based on her life.
- Who
- Raj Begum, the first woman singer on Radio Kashmir.
- What
- Her life and career, as well as a film based on her life titled "Songs of Paradise".
- When
- Began singing in the 1950s, film released recently, died in 2016.
- Where
- Srinagar, Kashmir.
- Why
- To overcome societal barriers and express herself through music, eventually gaining widespread acclaim.
- Birth Name
- Rehti
- Born
- 1927, Srinagar
- Occupation
- Singer
- First on Radio
- Radio Kashmir (1950s)
- Husbands
- Mohommad Abdullah, Qadir Ganderbali
- Awards
- Padma Shri (2002), J&K State Excellence in Folk Music (2008), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2013)
- Died
- 2016