Parveen Sultana

Parveen Sultana is a leading Indian classical vocalist recognized as an innovative exponent of the Patiala Gharana ; however she has not restricted her training or singing to any particular Gharana. Praveen learned the finer points and techniques of Indian classical music from her father, Ikramul Mazid who advised her to avoid Hindi film music.

She was born in a Muslim family in Assam. She gave her first stage performance in 1962 at the age of 12. “As a child, I met many musicians who were my father’s friends. They used to gather in our house and sing. At that time there were no differences, unlike today. One could not identify who was a Muslim and who a Hindu. I was born and brought up in an atmosphere full of music.” says Sultana. Sultana made her film debut with the song Naushad’s Kaun Gali Gayo Shyam in Kamal Amrohi’s movie Pakeezah (1971). In the 1970s and 1980s, she sang the s hit song Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna (Kudrat). She also worked among other Bollywood movies such as Gadar, Kudrat, Do Boond Pani and a variety of Assamese films.

Renowned for her powerful voice she was one of those musicians for whom it can be said that to see them perform is a blessing. She was awarded The Padma Shri in 1976, The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1998, and Padma Bhushan (2014). Aptly titled ‘Sangeet Samragni’, Sultana cultivated a deep understanding of her art mainly because of her father, an Afghan musician and a great admirer of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan She also received training from her grandfather Mohammed Najeef Khan. Parveen is now married to Ustad Dilshad Khan Dilshad is a famous classical singer in the Indian >> Read More... , and has a daughter. he couple has given more than 700 concerts in India and over 400 international performances.

She grew up listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s music, but Sultana never went down the Bollywood path - regularly, she says that being on stage is what she enjoys the most and prefers being called an Indian classical singer.