Performer Abida Parveen, who was recently in the country for a performance, on why her role as a Sufi artiste doesn't always have to translate into being an ambassador for peace, and why singing in a Bollywood film is not on her agenda

Sufi singer and musician Abida Parveen is under no delusions regarding her role as an artiste. When asked if she feels burdened by expectations to play the part of ambassador of peace between India and Pakistan, the 56 year-old singer responds, "Agar aap India aur Pakistan mein koi fark nahi dekhte hai, to is sawaal ko poochna band kariye ki kyaa mere gaane aman la sakte hai." [If you don't see any difference (in the situation) between India and Pakistan, then you need to stop asking whether I can effect change through my music].



"After so many visits by politicians, including presidents, reduced literacy rates and awareness campaigns, peace should have been achieved by now," adds Abida.

Given that she is a Sufi performer, the default assumption is that her primary role is that of messenger of peace and not entertainer, feels Abida. "Why should I be bombarded with the same question each time I perform outside Pakistan?"

The Pride of Performance award-winner, one of Pakistan's highest honours, does however go on to add, "Do jism ek jaan hai India aur Pakistan. [India and Pakistan are two bodies, but one soul.] We're united by soul, not boundaries. It's time to realise this."

Minus gloss
Considered among the finest Sufi vocalists in contemporary times, Abida doesn't believe in the glossy packaging of live shows. For performances, she sticks to her trademark full-sleeved baggy salwar-kurtas and ajrak chadar or shawl, which is typical of the province of her native Sindh in Pakistan.

"Make-up ke taraf kabhi dhyaan hi nahi gaya. [I've never paid any attention to make-up]," admits the performer whose song Tere Ishq Nachaya ker Thaiyya Thaiyya was adapted by AR Rahman into the chart
topper Chaiyya Chaiyya in the 1998 Mani Ratnam film Dil Se.

A different beat
Her secret to success might lie in her willingness to experiment, believes the husky-voiced singer, who says, "If you've followed my shows, albums, and compositions, you would know that each time I perform I have a different idea in mind."u00a0

The singer, who also enjoys attending live shows, recalls a performance at the Jahan-e-Khusru festival in Delhi, last year, when musician Rabbi Shergill dedicated a song to her. "It was a song that had previously been sung by me. I felt so good."

Bollywood, however, is not an option for the singer, who says, "I would love to be part of it, but my obsession with Sufism doesn't give me the luxury of distraction."