'Kaveri Nodi Jole ke Go Balika', a sweet melodious voice was first asking this question to its listeners. She claimed to be rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's student who in turn was singing his songs. The country knows this student by the name of Feroza Begum.
Born on July 28, 1930, to lawyer Mohammad Ismail and Begum Kowkabunnesa, this Nazrul Geeti singer has entertained people with her voice for decades. Her mother was a classical singer and that is how she was kept very close to music since her infant years. From school until college, Feroza hardly ever slipped into the second position from first. Her academic journey was very promising. However, this singer had never received any formal classical training in music.
Her first performance was aired on All India radio which was applauded by many listeners, along with Music composer Sunil Bose who was taken over by her sweet and melodious voice and appreciated her talent. She was only a student studying in class six at that time, and for a mere child, she was excellent.
She met poet Nazrul at the age of ten and started to take music lessons from him. Being one of the very few students who had the opportunity to take lessons from the rebel poet himself, Feroza then decided to start singing his songs. She schooled under him for the next two years and finally got the biggest break as a singer. After Nazrul, Feroza only has composed Nazrul Geeti songs until now.
The HMV Retails Limited, and UK-based entertainment company, decided to record her voice on the gramophone and preserve it for the world. Feroza was taken there for an audition where she met music composer Kamal Dasgupta.
Their first meeting began with Feroza singing Jodi Porane Na Jaage Akul Piyasha unwillingly as she did not like Kamal. He was left awestruck with Feroza's choice of song and was impressed as she struck the first note on her harmonium, entwined in parallel harmony with her voice. Who knew in the later years, this middle-aged man would forsake his religion just to be a part of Feroza's life. This was her first recording that was released in 1942. Narzul's chief assistant Chittyarangan Rai helped organise everything. Long play was yet to come in the music industry back at that time, however, her songs were recorded on 78 rpm disk format.
Thus began Feroza's journey as a singer. She was leading the front pages of newspapers, published in Kolkata, for her songs Mor Akhipothe and Morur Buke Jibon Dhaka Ke Bohalo. She first aced the music charts in Kolkata with two of her songs--Dur Dipobashini and Momer Putul.
Feroza has performed at over three hundred and eighty countries around the world. She has recorded twelve long play records, four EPs and six CDs along with over twenty cassettes in her lifetime.
On September 8, 2014, Feroza took her last breath at the Apollo hospital, Dhaka. However, she still lives in our memoirs while we listen to her enchanting voice in songs--Nurjahan, Chaad Sultana, Mor Piya Hobe Esho Rani, Noyon Bhora Jol Go Tomar, and Ami Chorotore Dure Shore Jabo.
Her sons Hamin Ahmed and Shafin Ahmed, the famous singers from Miles band are now continuing the musical legacy of the family.
Awards
Independence Day Award (1979)
Netaji Subhash Chandra Award
Satyajit Ray Award
Nasiruddin Gold Medal
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Gold Medal
Best Nazrul Sangeet Singer Award
Nazrul Academy Award
Churulia Gold MEdal
Gold Disk from CBS, Japan
Meril-Prothom Alo Lifetime honorary award (2011)
Sheltech Award (2000)[6][7]
Honours
D Lit from University of Burdwan
Bongo Shomman from Mamata Banerjee (2012)
