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{{Short description|Mappilappattu singer (1944–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox writer 
| name = Ramla Beegum
| image = File:Ramla-beegum.jpg
| caption =
| image_size = 250px
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1944|11|03}}
| birth_place = [[Ambalappuzha]], [[Central Division (Travancore)|Travancore Central Division]]<br>(present day [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]], India)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2023|09|27|1944|11|03}}
| death_place = [[Marikkunnu|Paroppadi]], [[Kozhikode]]
| resting_place = Kannadikkal Juma Masjid, [[Kozhikode]]
| occupation = Singer
| genre = [[Mappila songs]], [[Kadhaprasangam]]
| spouse = Abdul Salam
| parents = {{Plainlist |
* Mariyam Beevi (mother)
* Hussain Yusuf Yamana (father)}}
| years_active = 1952 – 2018
| website =
}}

'''Ramla Beegum''' (3 November 1944 – 27 September 2023) was an Indian [[Mappila songs|Mappilappatu]] singer and [[Kadhaprasangam]] artist from [[Kerala]], known for her contributions to Mappilapattu, a traditional Muslim [[folk music]] genre. She is widely regarded as one of the pioneering [[female artists]] in Kerala to break through conservative [[Social norm|societal norms]], especially within the Muslim community as she was considered the first Muslim woman from Kerala to perform on stage, despite facing significant religious opposition. Her career spanned 55 years, lasting until her retirement in 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.madhyamam.com/lifestyle/woman/ramla-begum-1208234 | title=The Woman Who Defined the Mappila Song Tradition | publisher=[[Madhyamam]] | work=Faisal Elettil | date=28 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/renowned-mappila-song-artist-ramla-beegum-passed-away-ramla-beegum-life-story-1.8945104 | title=The painful story, now half-buried in Koduvally's memories. | publisher=[[Mathrubhumi News]] | work=M Anil Kumar | date=29 September 2022 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/noted-mappilapattu-singer-ramla-beegum-passes-away-1.8940031 | title=Mappilapattu singer Ramla Beegum no more | publisher=[[Mathrubhumi News]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sirajlive.com/ramla-begum-song-of-the-malayalees.html?s | title=Ramla Begum: A Voice Cherished by Malayalis Through Her Timeless Songs | publisher=[[Siraj Daily]] | work=Shafeek Kanthapuram | date=28 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>

== Early life and career ==
Ramla Beegum was born on 3 November 1944 in [[Ambalappuzha]], [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]]. She was the daughter of Hussain Yusuf Yamana, a [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]]-origin [[Malayalis|Malayali]] from Alappuzha and Mariyam Beevi, also a singer from [[Feroke]], [[Kozhikode]]. Her family had deep cultural roots, with her grandfather being an [[Arabs|Arab]] from [[Yemen]]. Due to her family's [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] background, Hindi was often spoken at home, and Ramla began singing Hindi songs at the age of 8. She got her start in music by singing at the Azaadi Music Club, owned by her uncle Sattar Khan, in her hometown. At the age of 18, Ramla Beegum married Abdul Salam, a tabla player and music director at the Azaadi Music Club. Salam played a pivotal role in introducing her to Mappilapattu. With his guidance, Ramla found her way into the world of Mappilapattu and gained recognition within the Muslim community.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/latest-news/2023/09/27/ramla-beegum-died-in-kozhikode.html | title=Renowned Mappila singer Ramla Begum passes away; began her musical journey with Hindi songs | publisher=[[Manorama Online]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.janamtv.com/news/75277/ramla-begum-pioneering-muslim-singer-and-storyteller-passes-away/ | title=Ramla Begum – Pioneering Muslim singer and storyteller passes away | publisher=[[Janam TV]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>

In 1963, Beegum debuted as a Kadhaprasangam (storytelling) artist with the performance of "Jameela," written by Alappey Sharaf. Known for her unique narrative style, Ramla's Kathaprasangam performances gained wide popularity. One of her most notable performances was "Husnul Jamal Badrul Munir," a love poem written in [[Arabi Malayalam script|Arabic Malayalam]], which she performed at more than 10,000 venues, including her first international performance in [[Singapore]] in 1971. She continued performing until 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asianetnews.com/woman-life/mappilapattu-singer-ramla-beegum-life-and-journey-prm-s1n9xz | title=Trailblazer Ramla Begum, one of the first Muslim women to defy religious norms and perform on stage, passes away | publisher=[[Asianet News]] | date=27 September 2022 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>

She recorded over 35 gramophone records and 500 cassettes. Over her career, she performed in 23 Kathaprasangam works, 20 of which were based on [[History of Islam|Islamic history]]. She also performed in non-Islamic works, including "[[Odayil Ninnu|Odayil]]" by [[Keshavdas]], "[[Shakuntala (play)|Shakuntalam]]" by [[Kalidasa]], and "Nalini" by [[Kumaran Asan]], broadening her appeal across different communities. These performances were held in a variety of settings, including temples and wedding ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/ramla-begum-passed-away-1208153 | title=Prominent Mappila Singer Ramla Beegum Passes Away | publisher=[[Madhyamam]] | date=27 September 2022 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref> Following the death of her husband in 1986, Ramla took a two-year hiatus from Kadhaprasangam. However, she returned to the art scene at the request of her fans.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/renowned-mappila-song-artist-ramla-beegum-passed-away-1.8940012 | title=Renowned Mappila Song Artist Ramla Begum Passes Away | publisher=[[Mathrubhumi News]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
Ramla Beegum's was the recipient of the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi|Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] and the [[Kerala Folklore Academy|Kerala Folklore Academy Award]]. Her most prestigious recognition was the [[Moyinkutty Vaidyar|Moinkutty Vaidyar Award]], which honors outstanding contributions to the field of Mappilapattu.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/local-news/malappuram/kondotty/ramla-begum-receives-mappilakala-academy-vaidyar-award-916136 | title=Ramla Begum Honored with Mappilakala Academy's Prestigious Vaidyar Award | publisher=[[Madhyamam]] | date=22 January 2022 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Sep/28/mappilapattu-singer-ramla-beegum-83-dies-2618835.html#:~:text=She%20is%20also%20a%20recipient,to%20the%20field%20of%20Mappilapattu. | title=Mappilapattu singer Ramla Beegum, 83, dies | publisher=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=28 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>

== Death ==
Ramla Beegum died on 27 September 2023 at her residence in [[Marikkunnu|Paroppadi]], [[Kozhikode]], at the age of 78. She is survived by her daughter, Rasiya. Her burial took place at the Kannadikkal Juma Masjid, Kozhikode.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2023/09/27/mappilapattu-singer-ramla-beegum-passes-away.html | title=Mappilapattu singer Ramla Beegum no more | publisher=[[Onmanorama]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/noted-mappilapattu-singer-ramla-beegum-passes-away-1.8940031 | title=Noted Mappilapattu singer Ramla Beegum passes away | publisher=[[Mathrubhumi News]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mediaoneonline.com/kerala/mappilapattu-singer-ramla-beegum-funeral-232153 | title=Mappila song singer Ramla Begum laid to rest. | publisher=[[MediaOne TV]] | date=27 September 2023 | accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beegum, Ramla}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]]
[[Category:People from Alappuzha district]]

Ramla Beegum - Revision history

Davidcza: added some entry added tags