Gauhar Jaan Biography 
Gauhar Jaan was one of the earliest singers and dancers from Kolkata who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She is one of the earliest singers to record music on 78 rpm record. India's first disc had Gauhar Jaan, singing a khayal in Raag Jogiya and it was recorded on November 2, 1902, by Fred Gaisberg. It was recorded in a hotel of Kolkata when two rooms together were used for the purpose. She received a good amount of rupees 3000, which was really a big amount 100 years ago. Saregama India and HMV are in the attempt to restore a few old recordings of Gauhar. Miss Gohar, Gauhar Jan of Patiala, Gohar Bai Karnataki and Gohar Kayoum Mamajiwala were her singing contemporaries who shared the same name with her.
Her real name is Angelina Yeoward and she was of Armenian descent. She was born in Azamgarh in 1873. Her father was an engineer, William Robert Yeoward who married an Indian woman, Victoria Hemmings and Gauhar was born the following year. However Gauhar’s parents got separated in her childhood and she moved along with her mother to Banaras in 1881. Her mother was trained in music and dance. She converted to Islam and changed her name to Gauhar Jaan as well. She very soon became an accomplished singer, Kathak dancer and a courtesan in Banaras.
She was known by the name, Badi Malka Jan because many contemporaries were there with the same name. She joined the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Kolkata in 1883 and gave her maiden performance at the royal courts of Darbhanga Raj in 1887. She was appointed as court musician. She popularised light Hindustani classical music also. She has left over 150 records to music lovers.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 21, 2014
