Transitions: Ameeran Begum loses battle against cancer as family runs out of money

She started her career as a singer nearly 40 years ago, reportedly came out with more than 150 albums to date.

SUKKUR:

Renowned folk singer Ameeran Begum Manganhar, popularly known as Sindhi Geetan Ji Rani, was laid to rest in Bahar Shah Graveyard, near Yaroo Lund in Ghotki district on Saturday. She was suffering from breast cancer and breathed her last late on Friday, at her house in village Sahib Lund.

Ameeran Begum started her career as a singer nearly 40 years ago and reportedly came out with more than 150 albums to date. She also sang for Radio Pakistan and various Sindhi language television channels. She was perhaps best known for her songs about marital unions and was regularly invited to sing at marriage ceremonies.

The singer was diagnosed with breast cancer two years back but her family could not afford the treatment. The Sindh culture department gave Ameera Begum a cheque for Rs50,000, but not before it had been besieged with requests by the singer’s family and other artists.

While talking to The Express Tribune, folk singer Rasool Bux Abro, alleged that the culture department reneged on its promise to give another batch of funds worth Rs100,000 for Ameeran’s treatment.

Elected representatives and culture department officials were absent at the funeral which was attended by artists from Ghotki, Sukkur and other nearby areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2012.