Begum Akthar, the story of my ammi


Begum Aktar, b.circa 1914-d 1974, a legend in her own lifetime, is one such person on whom there is no available biography. A pioneer in the field of Indian light classical music, she helped poularise the traditioinal form of thumri and ghazal gayaki an took in tho the concert level all over Indian and abroad.
Unfortunately, despite her talents, an entire generation of Indians has grown up listening ot only gossip connected with Begum Akhtar's life; be it the controversy surrounding the Nawab of Rampur of her other alleged affairs. This is what Shanti Hiranand has attempted in her memoirs. It is a book that will hopefully provide a salve to al those open wounds surrounding Begum Akhtar's persona.