Akhtari Bai Faizabadi or Begum Akhtar (October 7, 1914–October 30, 1974) was a well known Indian singer of Ghazal, Dadra and Thumri. She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for vocal music, and was awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan (posthumously) by Govt. of India. She was given the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of Ghazals). Early life Begum Akhtar was born in Bada Darwaza, Town Bhadarsa, Bharatkund, Faizabad District, Uttar Pradesh.