- country:Pakistan
- style(s):Sufi
- label:SAY Arts
- type:Band
- gender:female
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
- artist posted by:Sayarts.com CIC
Abida Parveen was born in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan in 1954. Her father, Ghulam Haider, was a music teacher and had his own music school. Sufi saints had deep influence on her family and she was brought up in the environment of mysticism, poetry and music of Sufis. Her father took notice of her talent and encouraged her to sing. Many renowned personalities of the music world trained her. Initially, she learnt music from her father and later from Ustad Salamat Ali Khan of Sham Chaurasia gharana fame. She also took training in Sufiana music from Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, who is a famous Sufi (mystic) saint of Sindh.
Her career got some thrust after she married Ghulam Hussain Sheikh, who was a senior producer in Radio Pakistan.
Abida Parveen is famous for her rich and melodious voice. She is recognised around the world for her ghazals, Sufiana kalaam and Punjabi folk. She performs with harmonium, tabla and dholak. She thinks if too many instruments accompany a song, the composition loses flavour. Her voice is different than other singers, which is perfect for touching the hearts of the audience. Her singing class is reflected by her fan following. Khazana is her most popular album, which features 8 ghazals. The background music comprises instruments like the sarangi, rabab, sarod, and Western keyboards. All ghazals are great but Le Chala Jaan Meri and Sauda Ho To Aisa Ho are two of the best ghazals of the album.
Parveen has sung spiritual works of Baba Bulleh Shah, Hazrat Amir Khusru, Hazrat Sultan Bahu and Hazrat Shah Hussain. She has also released an album of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's ghazal poetry. Abida has many awards and the best of them is the Pride of Performance awarded to her by the government of Pakistan.