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Begum Akhtar's Secret Comeback: A Voice Reborn
22 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Begum Akhtar returned to music after an eight-year hiatus.
- A secret recording by an AIR director marked her comeback.
- Her comeback story mirrors silenced female artists finding their voice.
The legendary ghazal singer Begum Akhtar experienced a clandestine return to the music world after an eight-year absence, following her marriage. The director of All India Radio (AIR) Lucknow, LK Malhotra, secretly arranged for her recording, understanding her suppressed passion for singing.
Upon arrival at the AIR studio, Akhtar was led to believe it was a casual meeting. However, a hidden recording setup was prepared, and she was gently persuaded to sing. This secret session, filled with raw emotion, resulted in a ghazal that signaled her triumphant re-entry into the music scene.
This pivotal moment, crediting Malhotra for reviving her voice, is now hailed as a significant milestone in Indian music. Akhtar's journey symbolizes the struggle and triumph of numerous female artists who, despite marital or social constraints, ultimately found their way back to their art.
