Abida Parveen Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Awards, Songs, Children, Husband

Abida Parveen is a revered Pakistani Sufi singer known for her profound renditions of mystical poetry.

Her journey into the limelight began with her performances on Radio Pakistan in the 1970s.

Over the years, she has become known for her interpretations of Sufi poetry, particularly the works of Bulleh Shah and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

Profile

• Full name: Abida Parveen
• Date of birth: February 20, 1954
• Age: 71 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan
• State of origin: Sindh
• Nationality: Pakistani
• Profession: Singer, musician, composer, entrepreneur
• Height: 5′ 4″ (163 cm)
• Parents: Father: Ustad Ghulam Haider; Mother: Mumtaz Begum
• Siblings: Two brothers
• Spouse: Ghulam Hussain Sheikh (deceased)
• Children: Pereha Ikram, Maryam Hussain, Sarang Latif
• Relationship status: Widowed
• Religion: Islam (Sufism)
• Ethnicity: Sindhi
• Net worth: $20 million

Early Life and Education

Abida Parveen was born on February 20, 1954, in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. Her father, Ustad Ghulam Haider, was a renowned singer and music teacher who operated his music school.

Her mother, Mumtaz Begum, was also an artist, contributing to Abida’s rich musical heritage. Recognizing her talent early, her father chose her as his musical heir over his sons.  

Parveen received her initial training from her father and later from Ustad Salamat Ali Khan of the Sham Chaurasia Gharana. Parveen pursued higher education and obtained a master’s degree from Sindh, focusing on languages including Urdu, Sindhi, and Persian.

Personal Life

In 1975, Abida Parveen married Ghulam Hussain Sheikh, a senior producer at Radio Pakistan. He retired in the 1980s to manage and mentor Parveen’s career.

The couple had three children: two daughters, Pereha Ikram and Maryam Hussain, and a son, Sarang Latif, who is a music director. After Sheikh’s death from a heart attack on an international flight in the early 2000s, their daughter Maryam took over the role of managing Parveen’s career.

Career

Abida Parveen’s career began in the early 1970s with performances at Sufi shrines and gatherings. Her breakthrough came in 1973 with the Sindhi song “Tuhinje zulfan jay band kamand widha” on Radio Pakistan. She became an official singer for Radio Pakistan in 1977.

Parveen is known for her renditions of Sufi poetry in various languages, including Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Arabic, and Persian. She has performed internationally, including concerts in the United States, United Kingdom, and Norway.  

Parveen has also appeared on television shows such as Coke Studio and served as a judge on the music competition show Sur Kshetra. Her Music often features traditional instruments like the harmonium and tabla, and she is celebrated for her powerful and emotive singing style.

Awards

• Pride of Performance Award (1984)
• Latif Award (twice)
• Sindh Graduate Association Award
• Pakistan Television Award
• Sachal Sarmast Honor
• 9th PTV Awards for Best Singer (1998)
• Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award (2005)
• Hilal-e-Imtiaz Award (2012)
• Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kaladharmi Begum Akhtar Academy of Ghazal (2012)
• Honoured at the 16th Pakistan Television Awards Ceremony (2011)
• Nominated for Best Original Sound Track at the 12th Lux Style Awards (2013)
• Wonder Woman of the Year (2013)
• 1st ARY Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (2014)
• Gold Crown on 40 years in the Music Industry by the Sindhi Singers Association (2014)
• Ambassador’s Recognition Award in Dubai (2015)
• Tributed at the 17th PTV Awards in the category of ‘Legends’ (2012)
• 3rd Hum Awards for Excellence in Music (2015)
• Awarded at Dhaka International Folk Fest (2015)
• Awarded at the 2nd International Sufi Conference in Karachi (2016)
• 15th Lux Style Awards for Best Female Singer (Film) (2016)
• Lifetime Achievement Award presented by BBC Asian Network (2016)
• PISA Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
• Nishan-e-Imtiaz by President Arif Alvi (2021)

Net Worth

Abida Parveen’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million; she is recognized as one of the highest-paid singers in Pakistan, earning through performances, recordings, and television appearances.

Social Media

• Instagram: @abidaparveenofficial
• Twitter (X): @ItsAbidaParveen

Discography

• Raqs-e-Bismil
• Tere Ishq Nachaya
• Ghazal ka Safar
• Shah jo Risalo (11-volume CD)
• Aap Ki Abida
• Are Logo Tumhara Kiya
• Best of Abida Parveen
• Baba Bulleh Shah