Campaign to raise funds for ailing Zarina Begum

LUCKNOW : Public campaign for raising fund for ailing Zarina Begum, the last songstress of Awadh, is gaining momentum. Zarina, 88, is undergoing treatment at a private nursing home in Lucknow after her condition deteriorated earlier this month.

The campaign is being publicized through radio, social media and whatsapp and people are joining in to raise finances. The campaign is titled, ‘Save the last voice of Awadh’ and has been joined by over 40 donors. The collection made so far is around ₹85,000.

“She has been shifted to the ward from the intensive care unit where she remained for around ten days. But she is still not fit to be taken back home and the doctors say that she would have to stay in the hospital unless her condition stabilises,” said Naved, Zarina’s sonin-law.

While the family had been demanding monetary help for long, a group of people led by RJ Tushar Pokhriyal got together to raise funds for the family that is struggling to make ends meet. Zarina lives with her daughter and son-in-law who are illiterate and have no source of income. Zarina also has a disabled son who lives with her in a small house in Fatehganj area.

The target of the campaigners is to collect a minimum of ₹1.5 lakh for Zarina and her family. “The hospital bill has been of over ₹1 lakh till now. A good samaritan came and said that he would pay the bill on our behalf. But this is not all the expenses we are incurring daily,” said Naved.

“We don’t even have funds to ensure her daily needs including food, fruits etc. We also need an e-rickshaw for Zarina’s disabled son so that his life can be secured,” said Naved.

Zarina Begum is a disciple of the queen of thumri and ghazals Begum Akhtar. She even gave performances with Begum Akhtar and later became a renowned singer in the courts of Awadh.

She spent a good part of her life in the courts of Rampur and was a regular performer at Lucknow’s Sultanat Manzil and Sheesh Mahal—the abodes of the nawabs of Awadh. She performed in the courts of Murtaza Ali of Rampur, Raja Nawab, Sikandar Nawab and Huzur Nawab of Lucknow.

The nawabs of Rampur were so fond of Zarina that they would invite her months before there were weddings in the family. She would live with the Begums of the courts and was offered all the luxuries and comfort.

Having witnessed all luxuries and wealth, Zarina is only left with golden memories of the royal experience of yesteryears and her family is struggling for two square meals.

THE CAMPAIGN IS BEING PUBLICISED THROUGH RADIO, SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHATSAPP AND PEOPLE ARE JOINING IN TO RAISE FINANCES.THE COLLECTION MADE SO FAR IS AROUND ₹85,000