Gauhar Jaan was one of the first performers to record music on 78 rpm records in India, which was later released by the Gramophone Company of India and resulted in her being known as "the Gramophone girl" and "the first recording superstar of India".
10 Facts About Gauhar Jaan
2.
Gauhar Jaan was born as Eleen Angelina Yeoward on 26 June 1873 in Azamgarh, of Armenian descent.
3.
Malka Gauhar Jaan moved back to Calcutta in 1883, and established herself in the courts of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, who had settled at Metiaburj, near Kolkata and within three years purchased a building at 24 Chit pore Road, for Rs.
4.
Gauhar Jaan gave her maiden performance at the royal courts of Darbhanga Raj in 1887 and was appointed as court musician, after receiving extensive dance and music training from a professional dancer at Banaras.
5.
Gauhar Jaan Jan started performing in Calcutta in 1896 and was called the 'first dancing girl' in her records.
6.
Gauhar Jaan helped her recover from trauma following death of her mother.
7.
Gauhar Jaan first visited Madras in 1910, for a concert in the Victoria Public Hall, and soon her Hindustani and Urdu songs were published in a Tamil music book.
8.
Gauhar Jaan popularised light Hindustani classical music with her thumri, dadra, kajri, chaiti, bhajan, tarana renditions, and mastered the technique of condensing performing the elaborate melody Hindustani classical style to just three and a half minutes for a record.
9.
India's first recording sessions included Gauhar Jaan, singing a khayal in Raag Jogiya, recorded by Fred Gaisberg of the Gramophone Company.
10.
Gauhar Jaan's songs are part of the 'Vintage Music From India' audio album, and her image forms its cover.