AIR pays tribute to music maestro Begum Akhtar

Kolkata, Jul 23 (UNI) Akashvani has always given tremendous platform to several singing talents trying hard to revive classical, traditional and folk music of the country, and it has taken an initiative to release the cassettes and CDs of famaous music meastro Begum Akhtar.

Talking to newsmen here on the occasion, AIR Director General Brijeshwar Singh today said Akashvani had always tried to retain the soul of Indian music.

Now All India Radio under the banner "Akashvani Sangeet" had tried to bring out the precious and timeless collections of Begum Akhtar along with several other music doyens like Pd Birju Maharaj, the glittering gemin the crown of Indian Classical music, he said.

Her song "Deewana Banana Hai" to "Deewana Bana De" became her first smash hit which forced a Gramophone company to record her songs after that.

Talking regarding the challenges faced by AIR from other FM radios, Mr Singh said Akashvani had taken music to every nook and corner of the country and caters to the needs of all sections of the society and were carrying out innovative programs by giving the budding talents a direct platform by grooming them at the grassroot level.

He also said the the archives of AIR had released about 30 CD's all.

Rita Ganguly, the direct disciple of Begum Akhtar, said she was proud of announcing that she was a product of AIR and owed her success to it.

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