Special coins released on Begum Akhtar's birth centenary

The culture ministry Tuesday released a set of commemorative coins as a part of year-long birth centenary celebrations of noted ghazal and thumri singer Begum Akhtar.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Shripad Yesso Naik released coins of Rs.100 and Rs.5 at a function here where noted singers performed to kick-off the celebrations.

"A National Implementation Committee (NIC) has also been constituted to chalk out programmes and activities that may be taken up during the commemoration year," a statement said.

According to the ministry, some of these programmes include organising centenary festivals in Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Bhopal and Kolkata.

A dedicated web portal to document and digitise the legacy of the singer, exhibitions and workshops, publications, seminars and a scholarship to young artists will be a part of the year-long celebrations.

Akhtar was born Oct 7, 1914 and and was awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi award for vocal music.

She was also awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan (posthumously) and was given the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of Ghazals).