Abida Parveen is a renowned Pakistani Sufi singer, composer, and musician Born on 20 February 1954 in Larkana, within a Sindhi Sufi family,
Parveen's journey in the world of music is truly remarkable. After starting her career at Radio Pakistan, she gained recognition for her soulful renditions of Sindhi poetry by revered poets such as Sachal Sarmast and Shah Latif. When in 1970 she performed in public for the first time at the Urs of Hazrat Shah Latif, a new era began in the world of music. But she says, "It is the kalam [works] of the Sufi saints, not my voice, that involves the listeners in my music."
Abida Parveen started her professional career from Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad, in 1973. Her first hit was the Sindhi song “Tuhinje zulfan jay band kamand widha”.
As Abida Parveen's fame grew, her Sufi songs resonated with listeners around the world, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Abida Parveen has become an iconic figure in the realm of music. Her soul-stirring vocals, coupled with her profound spiritual insight, have touched the hearts of millions, making her an inspiration for aspiring musicians and a symbol of the eternal beauty and power of Sufi music.
Parveen sings in Urdu, Sindhi, Saraiki, Punjabi and Persian, and together with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is considered one of the finest Sufi vocalists of the modern era. The Government of Pakistan honored her with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2012 and the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in March 2021. Abida is globally recognized as one of the pinnacle figures in mystic music.
Beyond her musical prowess, Abida Parveen is revered for her humility and unwavering commitment to her craft. Her music serves as a guiding light, reminding us of the universal themes of love, compassion, and unity that lie at the core of Sufi philosophy.