Rajkumari Dubey - Playback Singer (Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi)

VIDEO: Singer Rajkumari Dubey: The Legendry Singer

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Friday 24, April 2026, 06:45.

Rajkumari Dubey

About:

Born Rajkumari Dubey -  1924,  Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Died 2000 (aged 75–76), India

Genres playback singing

Occupation Singer

Instrument Vocalist

Years active 1934 – 1977

Introduction:

VIDEO: Rajkumari Dubey - Biography In Hindi

Rajkumari Dubey (1924 – 2000), better known by her first name, Rajkumari, was an Indian playback singer who worked in Hindi cinema of 1930s and 1940s. Best known for her songs, "Sun Bairi Baalam Sach Bol Re" in Bawre Nain (1950), "Ghabaraa Ke Jo Hum Sar Ko Takraayan" in Mahal (1949) and "Najariya Ki Maari" in Pakeezah (1972).

Biography:

She had much softer and sweeter voice with a narrow range than the leading singers of the time, Zohrabai Ambalewali, Amirbai Karnataki and Shamshad Begum. In the next two decades, she sang for 100 films, till the early 1950s, when Lata Mangeshkar changed the playback-singing scene in India.

Career:

She was 10 years old when she recorded her first song for His Master's Voice in 1934 and she started her career as a stage artiste. Vijay Bhatt and Shankar Bhatt of Prakash Pictures spotted her during one of her shows. They liked her voice and persuaded her to discontinue acting on stage as it would spoil her voice (In those days, there were no microphones and you had to shout to be heard). So she quit theatre, and became an employee of Prakash Pictures as an actress and singer.

Rajkumari's first film with them was a Hindi-Gujarati bilingual called Sansar Leela Nayi Duniya. She got important roles in films like Aankh Ka Tara and Turki Sher (1933). She was the heroine in Bhakt Ke Bhagwan and Insaaf Ki Topi (1934). In those days she often acted opposite Zakaria Khan (late actor Amjad Khan's father, whose screen name was Jayant). She also used to sing for popular music director Lallubhai. He gave music to films starring Rajkumari ji like Nai Duniya, alias Sacred Scandal (1934) (Sansaar Leela in Gujarati version), Laal Chitthi, alias Red Letter (1935), Bombay Mail (1935), Bambai Ki Sethaani (1935) and Shamsheer-e-Arab (1935). She began getting fed up with having to watch on her figure and decided to stick to just singing as a career. After she quit Prakash Pictures, she began playback singing for actresses like Ratnamala, Shobhana Samarth, etc. and soon she became the first female playback singer of Indian cinema.

VIDEO: The Tragic Days of Singer Rajkumari Dubey | Suhaana Safar with Annu Kapoor

She sang many Gujarati and Punjabi songs. Even though she was not formally trained to sing, she was very good at picking up what her composers taught her. They thought she was a trained singer! She was able to also establish herself as a classical singer and excelled in singing and voice production within the framework of classical forms of thumri and dadra. Among her peers were Shamshad Begum, Zohrabai Ambalewali, Juthika Roy, Zeenat Begum, etc. Both Shamshad and Zohrabai had resounding voices with a high range, while Rajkumari had a soft and very sweet voice with a small range. She sang quite a few songs with Talat Mahmood and Mukesh. She did not get much opportunity to sing with Mohammed Rafi – mainly because Lata Mangeshkar was a fast upcoming singer at the time. She sang with Noor Jehan in Naukar (1943). She never sang with K. C. Dey, but she did sing songs composed by him, as well as his nephew, Manna Dey. She also sang many popular Punjabi-language film songs for the veteran Punjabi music directors Hansraj Behl and Sardul Kwatra in the 1950s.

Later life:

VIDEO: Collection... Rajkumari

Rajkumari was married very late in life. Her husband was V.K. Dubey who was from Benares, (Uttar Pradesh) where he spent a lot of his time (because he owned a shop there), while she settled in Bombay. He later joined her in Bombay. Rajkumari Dubey died in 2000.

During her career, she would go on to sing songs for Neel Kamal, a Raj Kapoor and Madhubala starrer, and Hulchul (1951); but her two most famous films would be Bawre Nain (1950), where she sang for Geeta Bali "Sun Bairi Baalam Sach Bol Re"  and Mahal (1949), where she sang "Ghabrekar Ke Jo Hum Sir Ko Takraayan" picturised on Vijayalakshmi and "Chun Chun Gunguruva Baje Jhumba", a duet with Zohrabai Ambalawali. By this time, however, Lata Mangeshkar had shot to fame, relegating many female singers in the industry to the sidelines.

VIDEO: Rajkumari Dubey हिंदी सिनेमा की गायकी थी || Prime Tv

She sang her only song for O. P. Nayyar in the 1952 movie Aasmaan, which was his debut movie; "Jab Se Pee Piya Aan Base". The story goes that he was considering Lata Mangeshkar for the song. (Rest of the songs of the movie are sung by Geeta Dutt and C. H. Atma). When somebody told this to Lata, she said something about him which led to a misunderstanding. Angered, O. P. Nayyar made Rajkumari sing this song and never repeated her. He never used Lata to sing for him as well.

Rajkumari endured a long dry spell until music director Naushad spotted her singing in the chorus for his background score for Pakeezah (1972). Naushad was much taken aback by this, having greatly respected her in her heyday, and heartbroken to hear that she was reduced to singing in the chorus to make ends meet. As a result, he gave her an entire song to herself in Pakeezah, Najariya ki Mari. Her last film song was recorded for R. D. Burman in the film Kitaab; "Har Din Jo Beeta". Rajkumari also appeared in a British TV programme called Mahfil on Channel 4, a Samandar Films production, produced by Firdous Ali and Mahmood Jamal. In this programme, she sang a set of her famous film songs and ghazals; the caption on one of the songs, "Yeh raat phir na aayge", from the film Mahal, cites that the song was pictured on Zohra (and not Madhubala or Vijayalaxmi). The programme was aired on 24 March 1991. Rajkumari died in poverty in early 2000.

Discography:

VIDEO: Sun Bairi Balam Sach Bol Re - Bawre Nain Songs - Raj Kapoor - Geeta Bali - Rajkumari

Snehlata (1936)

Naukar (1943)

Humayun (1945)

Neel Kamal (1947)

Parwana (1947)

Mahal (1949)

Bawre Nain (1950)

Posti (1950)

Hulchul (1951)

Aasmaan (1952)

Kaude Shah (1953)

Waris (1954)

Pakeezah (1972)

Kitaab (1977) (Producer-Director Gulzar's film)

Yaba Hay Tera Liya (1978)

Taher Zalzala Hain Na (2000)

Songs with G. M. Durrani:

"Jhuum rahi baagon men bhigi" - Yateem (1945)

"Barasan Laagi Badariya" - Nai Duniya (1942)

"Dil Loot Liya Ji" - Nai Duniya (1942)

"Prem Ne Mann Mein Aag Lagayi" - Nai Duniya (1942)

"O Tujhko Nainon" - Meharbani (1950)

"Udd Jaau Main Sajan Re" - Kavita (1944)

"Baras Gayi Raam Badariya Kaari" - Station Master (music director Naushad)

"Dheere-Dheere Bol Mere Raja" - Ishara (1943) (Music director Khwaja Khurshid Anwar) (Lyricist – D. N. Madhok)

"Gote Da Haar Ve" - Kurmai (Punjabi-language film) (1941) (with Iqbal Begum) 

Reference

VIDEO: Chale Jaiyo Bedarda | Official Music Video | Beqasoor | Rajkumari | Madhubala | Ajeet |

Rajkumari Dubey, known simply as Rajkumari, was an Indian playback singer who graced the Hindi film industry with her melodious voice. She is best known for her songs, "Sun Bairi Baalam Sach Bol Re" in Bawre Nain, "Ghabaraa Ke Jo Hum Sar Ko Takraayan" in Mahal, "Najariya Ki Maari" in Pakeezah, and many more.

Born on 04 December 1924 in Benares, she began her singing career at the tender age of 10. Rajkumari's journey into music started early due to her family's musical background. Her father was a respected classical singer who recognised her talent and encouraged her to pursue singing.

Rajkumari debuted as a child artist in Lahore inthe film "Radhe Shyam (1932)," which was made by Kamla Movietone. She started her music journey by recording her debut song for HMV in 1934 when she was only 10 years old. At the same time, she was also active on stage as a singer and actor. Vijay Bhatt and Shankar Bhatt of Prakash Pictures noticed her during one of her performances and were impressed by her quality of projecting her voice. They encouraged her to join Prakash Pictures as both an actress and singer, starting a magnificent journey.

Rajkumar made her adult debut with a bilingual film (Hindi and Gujarati) named "Sansaar Leela (1933)" in Gujarati and "Nai Duniya (1934)" in Hindi, alongside Kashinath, Umakant Desai, and Gulab. Notably, the composer of the film, Lallubhai Nayak, was also part of the cast, a renowned figure of that era. Rajkumari's early songs in the film, like "Preet Ki Reet Sikha Ja Balam" and "Preetam Tum Ghan Ban Jaao," were sung under Nayak's direction. 

Actor Jayant was a prominent figure in Prakash Pictures during this period, often paired with Rajkumari. In the film Bambai Ki Sethaani, Rajkumari not only acted but also sang the song "Humse Kyon Rooth Gaye Bansi Bajaane waale". The songs from Bombay Mail gained significant popularity during that time. Rajkumari collaborated with Lallubhai Nayak and Ismail to beautifully render the song "Kiski Aamad Ka Yun Hai Intezaar.".  Her rendition of the slow-paced ghazal "Baaton Baaton Mein Dil-e-Bezaar" showcased her sweet intonations. Additionally, her song "Kaaga RE Jaiyo Piya Ki Galiyan" became widely beloved during that era.

Rajkumari showcased her acting and singing prowess in various films, such as Laal Chitthi (1935), where she sang "Kudrat Hai Rab Ki Nyaari"; Snehlata (1936 ), Shamsheer-e-Arab (1935); Passing Show (1936); Khwab Ki Duniya (1937); Parakh (19377); Chhote Sarkaar (1937 - Sagar Movietone); Jungle Ka Jawan (1938 - Mohan Pictures); Toofan Express (1937-Sundarr Movietone); Vijay Marg (1938); Secretary (1938); Gorakh Aaya (1938 - Ranjeet Movietone); and (Ranjeet Movietone). It is a real pity that not a single one of those movies is available now, and we are unable to appreciate her acting skills. Unfortunately, none of those movies are accessible today, leaving us unable to admire her acting abilities.

The early 1940s were the time when the trend of playback singing started to gain momentum. On the advice of legendary actor Moti Lal, she started taking up playback singing offers. Due to her popularity, she began receiving more offers for playback singing. Throughout her career, she has worked with nearly all the well-known composers and actresses in the industry.

Some of her memorable films of that period include Nadi Kinaare (1939), Brandy Ki Bottle (1939), Punar Milan (1940), Station Master (1942), Naukar (1943), Pannadai

(1945), Humayun (1945), Parwana (1947), Neel Kamal (1947).

Some of the memorable songs of that era were "Zara De De Pyar Udhaar"(Andhera), 

"Saajan Ghar Aaye Aaye Ri Aali (Station Master), "Ik Meethi Nazar Banke (Sasural), Haay Yeh Bholi Soorat Wale (Charr Din), Ari Ho Mohe Chhed Gaya (Singaarr), Saiyyan Ne Ungli Marori Re (Parwanaa), "Shyam Mori Bindiya Bikhar Na Jaye (Geet Govind), Zara Sun Lo Hum Apne Pyar (Bazarr) and many more

In 1949 came "Mahal," where she sang "Ek Teer Chala Dil Pe Laga," "Ghabrake Jo Hum Sar Ko Tau Achha Ho," and "Ek Teer Chala Dil Pe Laga". Next comes "Bawre Nain(1952), which has "Mujhe Sach Sach Bata Do," "Kyun Mere Dil Mein," and "Mere Roothe Hue Balma".

It was the time when new-age singers like Lata, Asha and Geeta Dutt were changing their way of singing with their more refined and thin voices. Rajkumari, like other singers of that time, started to get less work. Rajkumari gets work for a couple of years, and then the offers dry

A few of her later films include Shokhiyan (1951), Aasmaan (1952), where she sang "Jab Se Pee Piya Aan Base," Naubahar (1952), Apni Izzat (1952), Anand Math (1952), where she sang "Dil Ka Paimana Hai," Anhonee (1952), and Bahadur (1953).

After a period of struggle, Rajkumari caught the attention of music director Naushad while singing in the chorus for the background score of Pakeezah (1972). Naushad, who admired her talent from her prime, was saddened to learn of her difficult circumstances. In a gesture of support, he offered her a solo song in the movie titled "Najariya ki Mari." The bandish based on Raag Khamaj and written by Kaifi Azmi was immortalised by Rajkumari's husky, deep voice. Her last film song was for R. D. Burman in the film Kitaab (1977) "Har Din Jo Beeta.".

Rajkumari got married at a late stage in her life to V.K. Dubey, a man from Benares, Uttar Pradesh, who owned a shop there. Initially, he stayed in Benares while she lived in Bombay, but later he moved to Bombay to be with her. Rajkumari also appeared in a British TV program called Mahfil on Channel 4 in 1991.

Rajkumari Dubey passed away in the year 2000, with only Sonu Nigam representing the industry at her funeral.

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