This artist was a shining star in the world of singing and even 95 years after her death the sound of her voice continues to resonate in peoples ears. She was such a big superstar in the world of singing that when gold used to cost 20 rupees per tola she used to charge three thousand rupees for her show. Wherever she went she would shower gold and silver. The singer in question is none other than Gauhar Jaan. She was Indias first recording artist and such a great artist of her time that she was invited to the program organised in honor of King George V at the Delhi Durbar in December 1911. She breathed her last on 17 January 1930. This incident related to Gauhar Jaan is of the year 1902. A temporary studio was set up in a hotel in Calcutta. She arrived on November 11 dressed in her best attire with her attendants and musicians. William Gaisberg a recording expert of The Gramophone and Typewriter Limited (GTL) of London gave her three minutes to sing. At the end of the recording she had to introduce herself. She shouted I am Gauhar Jaan. This was in a way the announcement of the arrival of a great artist. As soon as the first glimpse of Gauhars high cultured and charming voice was recorded in Gaisbergs record Indian classical music took a big leap. Coming out of the circle of courtesans brothels and mehfils Indian classical music reached directly to the homes of common people. Rs 3000 demanded for recording Actually Londons Gramophone Company had sent its German agent William Gaisberg to record musical talents in India. He chose Gauhar Jaan for the first recording. Gauhar Jaan had demanded a whopping amount of Rs 3000 for that recording. Keep in mind that the price of that gold was Rs 20 per tola. This was the moment that changed Gauhar Jaans life. She became the first singer of the Indian subcontinent whose song was recorded commercially. When Gauhar Jaan after receiving training from the brothel started organising her own mehfils the magic of her voice spread throughout the country. Also read- Bathing in Maha Kumbha gives salvation what is this what does it mean in other religions 600 records made in 15 languages In her amazing musical journey she made 600 records in 15 languages. Her fame was such that in the grand and historic Delhi Durbar organized in 1911 she sang in front of the British Emperor George V and was awarded a prize in return. There she sang with Jankibai of Allahabad. After this there was a competition among the princely states to call Gauhar Jaan. Born Christian by birth later became a Muslim Gauhar Jaan was born on 26 June 1873 in a Christian family in Azamgarh. Earlier her name was Angelina Yeoward. Gauhar was born into a different kind of family. Her grandmother was Hindu grandfather and father were British Christians. When she was just six years old her parents marriage ended in a bitter divorce. Her mother Victoria Hemmings moved to Banaras with one of her Muslim well-wishers Khurshid. It was here that Victoria and her daughter converted to Islam. Both became Badi Malka Jaan and Gauhar Jaan respectively. In the culturally vibrant atmosphere of Banaras Gauhar Jaans innate talents in music dance and poetry blossomed. With Nawab Wajid Ali Shahs exile to Matia Burj in Calcutta it became a magnet for artists from across North India. Badi Malka Jaan also moved to Calcutta with Gauhar and became a musician in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. With the support of Calcuttas elite and patrons she became one of the citys most famous courtesans. It is no wonder that when GTL came to record native voices Gauhar Jaan was one of their first prized finds. Her singing range was very wide ranging from the heavy Khayal to the lighter forms of Hindustani music such as Thumri Dadar Kajri Hori Chaiti and Bhajan.