India honours Abida Parveen with life time achievement award

E-Paper | March 02, 2026

Legendary Sufi singer Abida Parveen of Pakistan, center, performs to a sold-out crowd at Humayun's Tomb during the Jahan-e-Khusrau Sufi Music Festival in New Delhi, India, March 4, 2012. Parveen, who sings mostly in Urdu, is one of the foremost musicians in modern Sufi music. - AP file photo

Queen of Sindhi music who took Sufi music to the next level of spirituality, Abida Parveen was honoured with life time achievement award at the Kaladharmi Begum Akhtar Academy of Ghazal in India.

Perveen is an internationally acclaimed singer of Sindhi descent who received training from her father Ustaad Ghulam Haider. She started her career with Radio Pakistan, Hyderabad, in 1973 after which there was no looking back.

On receiving the award, Perveen said: “I am honoured to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Begum Akhtar Academy of Ghazal. It is a proud moment!

During the award ceremony, Parveen also sang her famous ghazal 'Lal meri pat rakhiyo bhala jhoole laalan'.

Parveen has been awarded Pakistan;s Award for Pride of Performance in 1982 and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2005.

Entertainment

Javed

Oct 09, 2012 08:22am

This is Incredible India....where as Indian singers are not able to perform in Pakistan.

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superduper.msk@gmail.com

Oct 09, 2012 11:42am

Well done India..

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Leftist

Oct 09, 2012 07:11am

Dhoondo gay agar mulkoon mulkoon, milnay kay nahin nayab hain hum !! She is indeed a living legend and one of the greatest ghazal and sufi singers. We should thank the music lovers of India.

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kantharia

Oct 09, 2012 04:01pm

who say so indian singers are not able to perform in Pakistan ? , Kumar sanu and alka yagnik were in live concert in Karachi gymkhana few months ago

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Sajjad

Oct 09, 2012 06:18pm

long live Abida Pakistan zindaabad

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faz

Oct 09, 2012 11:14am

She is allow to perform in pakistan , and she is performing.

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Shoshi

Oct 09, 2012 09:41pm

Please try not to spin googlies here, you saw what happened just a few days ago

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Vishnu Dutta

Oct 09, 2012 12:10pm

She is the pride of entire Indian Subcontinent

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abc

Oct 09, 2012 07:21am

I attended 3 live shows of Abida Parveen in 2003 or 4(First one), then 2005 and 2007 at Humayun's tomb. I have also been fortunate to attend live concert of Reshma at Qutub Minar, and Farida Khanum at Kamani Auditorium. All the artists are exceptional . Unfortunately, i have missed Nusrat sahabs concert, when he performed in Delhi. Thank you Pakistan.

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Chaigram

Oct 10, 2012 12:33am

Bravo Abida, may Allah give you long and healthy life. Amen.

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03144543243

Oct 09, 2012 12:37pm

She really deserves !

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Gerry D'Cunha

Oct 09, 2012 10:46am

one can judge for himself, who is initiating 'good relationship' India or Pakistan?

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Mohammad Masood

Oct 09, 2012 08:25am

Indeed a great singer and a very humble person. Unfortunately, the music support to Abida has been below average. With such a powerful voice, Abida needs somebody like Yani to give music support. No doubt, Abida PArveen is pride of Sindh and Pakistan.

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Mishi

Oct 09, 2012 10:26am

Matchless singer, one of her own kind. Great Job!

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Mani

Oct 09, 2012 10:30am

well even Pakistani singers are not allowed to perform in Pakistan.

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Manzoor H. Khatana, Ph.D.

Oct 09, 2012 11:57am

A truly gifted singer, and a real ambassador of peace and harmony; may she live long and continue her Sufi message of love and harmony.

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Indian

Oct 10, 2012 08:59am

This is called Indian Spirit ! we respect people from across the border unlike Pak who just spreads hatred against India yet still enjoy Indian Movies, music, TV shows etc.

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baneen

Oct 10, 2012 08:46am

a living legend and pride of pakistan

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manghirmalani

Oct 10, 2012 08:35am

May God bless Abida Parveen , I met her twice in Karachi, She is fantastic. She is big asset to subcontinent

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Gulshan

Oct 10, 2012 08:16am

What Happened ???????

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Rizwan

Oct 10, 2012 07:33am

You're welcome brother/sister :)

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kashif

Oct 10, 2012 06:46am

Yeah.....whenever there be a petty issue ..India will staet behaving like a child with candies...and start departing all these stars and taking backing all the awards......etc....etc...hahahahaha

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Fatima

Oct 09, 2012 05:37am

Love Abida... long live the sufi queen

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Ali

Oct 10, 2012 06:16am

Many congratulations for her. She is the soul of Sindhi Sufi Kalaam. Her voice, its movements and rythm mesmorizes the listeners.

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babu

Oct 09, 2012 05:46pm

more then that ,long live sufi concept of islam

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Monty..

Oct 10, 2012 05:54am

Better check ur statements..Singers of both countries perform in the other...Do u forget Lata Mangaeskar singing Pakistani national Anthem??? Adnan sami sings for India..And I recently heard of several rock bands of both countries performing in the other...

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Salman

Oct 10, 2012 05:22am

Aur toa sub theek hai, but 'Laal meri put' is not a ghazal. It is more of a qawwali.

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soomar

Oct 09, 2012 07:28am

well done and keep it on

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Farhan A. Shaikh

Oct 10, 2012 04:53am

That's funny. If your are actually rating an award as the only gesture for good relationship then my friend let me update you on this one. One of the top hero of indian film industry, Mr. Dilip Kumar has also received an award from Pakistan in the year 1998, he was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award conferred by the government of Pakistan. He is the second Indian to receive the award; the first was former Indian prime minister Morarji Desai. Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray urged Dilip Kumar to return Nishan-e-Pakistan. There you go, less talk more action...

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babu

Oct 09, 2012 05:44pm

do check the tezeeb festival happening in karachi,before commenting

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G.A.

Oct 10, 2012 03:54am

While Pakistani singer is getting an award in India, Indian vocalist Vidya Shah is performing in Karachi at the Tehzeeb Festival. How nice.

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Raheel

Oct 09, 2012 07:24am

its great to hear that.. I hope we get enough talent in time..

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M K S

Oct 09, 2012 01:05pm

Yes, thank you. They all count but to make it clear is this the same as being recognised by the Indian government? The academy and the government are at 2 very different levels. Nevertheless, appreciate the gesture.

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GN Magsi

Oct 09, 2012 06:33am

We love and proud our legend Aabida Perveen

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Zohra Salahuddin MD

Oct 09, 2012 03:01pm

She transcends boundaries, regions and religions. She is a true ambassador for peace and tolerance.

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badsha

Oct 09, 2012 09:50am

Thats great! Abida ji, we pray for your best health and life. May you live long,ameen.