There are many out there who are highly nostalgic about the ghazal scene in Pakistan during the ’70s and ’80s, and are crazy about Munni Begum and her style of singing. The fact was evident from the huge turnout at Lahore’s Alhamra Art Centre where she recently performed after a gap of 15 years.

Images on Sunday had a chat with Munni Begum in which she shared personal experiences and unveiled quite a few aspects of her life.

What brought you from the US to perform in Lahore after all these years?

I migrated to the US some 16 years ago due to the situation in Karachi but I visit Pakistan every year. This particular tour was organised by my brother Yameen. I’m simply fascinated by all the new roads here. It’s a new Lahore to me with Metro buses plying the city. To tell you the truth, I also liked the motorway while travelling to Lahore from Islamabad.

Ever wondered how Munni Begum got her name? Know all this and more as she speaks to IoS during her recent performance tour

Do you feel the government is doing enough to support arts and culture as well as the general well-being of the artistes?

It’s unfortunate that in Pakistan artistes do not enjoy the kind of state support that they should as a matter of right. This can be gauged from the fact that when I launched my first audio cassette back in 1976, two lac copies were sold. The audio became a bestseller at the time but amazingly I was given the Pride of Performance in 2008!

One can only imagine how supportive and conscious the Pakistani government is when it comes to artistes. The way our governments shower gifts and cash prizes on cricketers, our artistes also deserve to be treated accordingly. It should announce housing schemes for them as so many artistes have died helpless while invoking cultural institutions for charity. It’s not fair.

The gharanas of classical music must play a vital role in introducing new singers.— Photo by author

What does a Pride of Performance consist of: a medal, certificate and three lac rupees? One cannot even construct a small room with such a meager amount these days. To add insult to injury, performing artists lose millions in royalty here due to rampant music piracy.

What do you expect from the government when it comes to artistes’ welfare?

Nawaz Sharif is a kind-hearted man. I like him as a politician as he has carried out great development work when it comes to the road infrastructure. I humbly request the government to take a personal interest in the well-being of artistes and provide them with opportunities to earn a decent living.

Have you also received offers to perform in India like many Pakistani artistes these days?

I performed in India during Ziaul Haq’s regime. Back then, I didn’t know that Pakistani artistes were not allowed to perform across the Wagha border. I was black-listed and remained banned for three to four years. However, what is interesting is that it was Gen Zia’s wife who eventually got my passport released since she was a great fan of mine.

I have performed before three Indian Prime Ministers — Atal Behari Vajpayee, Narsima Rao and L.K. Advani. I have also had the privilege of performing for Lata Mangeshkar and Dilip Kumar. In 1991, I also performed at the house of the granddaughter of Maulana Abulkalam Azad.

“The way our governments shower gifts and cash prizes on cricketers, our artistes also deserve to be treated accordingly. So many artistes have died helpless while invoking cultural institutions for charity. It’s not fair. To add insult to injury, performing artists lose millions in royalty due to rampant music piracy.”

Which Pakistani singer do you favour among the breed of present-day singers?

They are all good, especially Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shafqat Amanat Ali as both have earned a lot of fame and name for the country. The gharanas of classical music must play a vital role in introducing new singers.

Munni Begum.— Photo by author

Unfortunately, the general practice is that they don’t let their skills out of the family. Secondly, the government should extend a strong gesture of friendship to the community because one cannot run one’s kitchen by just being a performer here in Pakistan.

Any plans for an autobiography?

I will, definitely. I have been through two migrations: one from Dhaka to Karachi and the other from Karachi to the US. I have very sad memories of 1971 as I witnessed a lot of bloodshed. I migrated from Karachi to the US because of economic reasons as I couldn’t raise my children well while living here. I have been singing since the age of nine and still am because it’s my need along with my fondness.

How do you maintain your looks?

I am a highly diet-conscious person. I exercise and do riyaz for 45 minutes daily. It’s something I do every single day. While driving I don’t play music on the car’s audio system, instead I sing to myself.

How did you come up with the name Munni Begum?

Now there’s an interesting story: when I was in school in the fifth class, I used to sing songs with Mujeeb-ur-Rehman’s son Kamal-ur-Rehman. Once our principal Mamoon ur Rasheed saw us singing and said ‘Nadra is such a big name for such a small girl, she should be called Munni’. From that day onwards, I have come to be known as Munni Begum.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, June 14th, 2015

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