Raje, Gehlot mourn singer Mubarak Begum Shaikh's death

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Ashok Gehlot, former Chief Minister, on Tuesday mourned the death of legendary Bollywood playback singer and ghazal maestro Mubarak Begum Shaikh, who was born in the state. She was 80.

The songstress, who was born in Sujangarh in Rajasthan, passed away after prolonged illness at her residence in Mumbai late on Monday night, a family member said.

"Saddened by the news of passing away of legendary playback singer Mubarak Begum ji. May her soul rest in peace -- condolences to the family," Raje tweeted.

Gehlot shared: "Demise of Rajasthan's Mubarak Begum the legendary playback singer, is a great loss. Her contribution will be remembered forever. May her soul RIP."

Princess Diya Kumari, of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, said: "Sad to hear that legendary playback singer Mubarak Begum ji has passed away. May her soul rest in peace."

Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi also condoled Mubarak Begum's death, while actress Celina Jaitley said: "A legend passes away leaving her beautiful songs as a legacy RIP Mubarak Begum."

Known popularly as Mubarak Begum, she was a widow and is survived by her son Hussain, daughter-in-law Zarina and granddaughter Sana with whom she was living for many years.

She moved to Mumbai 70 years ago and sang her first playback song in 1949 for the film "Aaiye". Proficient in Hindi and Urdu, she had a notable singing career spanning over 110 films in over four decades till the early 1980s.

Among her most memorable numbers were "Kabhi tanhaiyon me, hamari yaad ayegi" (Mahari Yaad Aayegi-1961); "Mujhko apne gala laga lo, ai mere hamrahi" (Hamrahi - 1963); "Neend udd jaye teri, chainse sone wale" (Juaari - 1968); "Wo na aayegi palat ke" (Devdas - 1955); "Wada humse kiya, dil kisiko diya" (Saraswatichandra - 1968).

Besides playback singing, she used to give regular stage performance and musical concerts.

--IANS

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