Asgari Bai

Asgari Bai (1918 – August 9, 2006) was a renowned Dhrupad singer from Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. She was a recipient of Padma Shri, Tansen Samman, Academy Samman and Shikhar Samman. She has also been felicitated with Nari Shakti Samman. Crowned with many awards, the artiste enthralled music lovers not only in Madhya Pradesh but also across the country with her unique style and talent for decades.

Early life

Asgari Bai was born in 1918 at Bijawar in Chhatarpur. She had come with her mother Nazeera Begum to Tikamgarh. Her mother Nazir Begum was a court singer for the erstwhile royal family of Bijawar, while her grandmother Balayat Bibi adorned the court of Ajaygarh princely state.

A royal singer

She made her Guru to Zahoor Khan resident of Gohad, Bhind. She had been in Tikamgarh Raj Darbar up to 35 years. Asgari Bai acquired extraordinary expertise in Dhrupad to reign as the main court singer for the Orchha dynasty. She was also invited by other royal families to treat music lovers to her spellbinding

Family life

Asgari bai was married at the age of 35 years with Chiman Lal Gupta of Agra. She has 5 sons and 3 daughters.

Awards

She was awarded the Padmashri on March 24, 1990. She was awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi award in February 1987, and honoured by the Madhya Pradesh government with the Tansen Samman in December 1985 and the Sikhar Samman in February 1986.

She died on Wednesday, August 9, 2006.

References

* [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1046252 Dhrupad singer Asgari Bai dead]
* [http://www.centralchronicle.com/20060319/1903103.htm Dhrupad artiste Asgari Bai hospitalised]
* [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050803/asp/nation/story_5067699.asp Award return over son fear]