Kajjan Begum

Kajjan Begum was a Pakistani classical singer and playback singer. Before migrating to Pakistan, she was a famous singer in India.

Early life
Kajjan was born in Lucknow, British India on January 24, 1932. Her mother, Hussaini Begum and her two younger sisters, Ishrat Jehan and Shamim Bano were also singers. She was schooled in classical singing with her two sisters at the Lucknow School.

She started singing Marsiya-khawani with her mother in 1940. She was later employed at Mohammad Amir Ahmed Khan's palace, where she would sing songs and recite elegies during religious days. On other days she would sing thumris, kajris, dadras and light classical Hindustani music.

Career
Kajjan remained in India after the Partition of India for some time, during which she became a popular singer. In the late 1950s, she migrated to Pakistan with her family. She later started singing on Radio Pakistan Karachi. She trained her daughter Mehnaz Begum in classical music.

In 1962 Fazal Ahmad Karim Fazli offered her a chance to sing for the film Chiragh Jalta Raha, to which she agreed. The film was a Silver Jubilee box office hit. It was premiered by Fatima Jinnah, the chief guest in the opening ceremony held at Nishat Cinema, Karachi.

She was honored with the Pride of Performance award from the Government of Pakistan for her contributions to the Music Industry in 2000.

Personal life
Kajjan Begum married singer Akhtar Wasi Ali in 1952, with whom she had four children including Mehnaz Begum, who grew up to become a popular singer.

Death
Kajjan Begum died on 10 February 2000 in Karachi, Pakistan.