Parveen Nazar
Parveen Nazar پروین نظر | |
|---|---|
| Born | Parveen Begum 5 June 1950 |
| Died | 19 September 2011 (aged 61) Bahawalpur, Pakistan |
| Genres | Kafi |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1970 – 2011 |
Spouse | Ustad Nazar Hussain Khan (husband) |
| Award | Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan (2009)[1] |
Parveen Nazar (Urdu: پروین نظر; 5 June 1950 - 19 September 2011) was a Pakistani folk singer specializing in the Sufi devotional genre of kafi.[2] She was known as The Queen of Kaifi.[2] She was primarily associated with Radio Pakistan and was honored for her contributions to folk music.[2]
She was a respected figure, particularly within the Seraiki cultural belt, and was known for her vocal technique and dedication to classical and spiritual music.[2] Her performances were preserved by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa.[3][2]
Early life and training
She was born in Ranipur, Sindh, Pakistan.[2] Parveen and her parents then moved to the town of Khanqah Sharif, a suburb of Bahawalpur.[2] She developed an early interest in classical music and received formal training from Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Hyderabadi of the Gwalior Gharana.[2] She came from a background where music and traditional culture were significant. Her practice and dedication to the art form garnered local recognition, with audiences appreciating her powerful voice and distinct style.[2]
Parveen Nazar established herself primarily through live performances across Pakistan.[4][2] She was a noted performer at various national and regional cultural festivals.[5] The mother of actresses Anjuman and Gori went to a Nazar's performance at a musical event.[5] She liked Nazar's singing and introduced her to a Radio Station director and then the director called her to Radio Pakistan and she sang a folk song there. Then she became a prominent singer at Radio Pakistan.[5]
Career
Nazar began her professional singing career at Radio Pakistan, starting at its stations in Bahawalpur and Multan in 1984.[4] She was renowned for her expressive renditions of kafi, a solo genre based on Sufi poetry.[2] Her repertoire drew from the works of revered Sufi poets, including Khwaja Ghulam Farid, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Bedil Sindhi, Bulleh Shah, and Shah Hussain.[4] In addition to kafi, she performed ghazals and traditional matrimonial songs for Radio Pakistan.[4]
Her dedication and style earned her admiration within the Seraiki community and a strong reputation for classical singing across the country.[4] Her songs, ghazals, and mystical poetry are preserved in the archives of various Radio Pakistan stations and have also been broadcast on Pakistan Television Corporation.[2]
A significant portion of Parveen Nazar's recognition comes from her association with Lok Virsa in Islamabad.[2] She performed full-length concerts and appeared at numerous festivals organized by the institute, which aims to preserve and promote Pakistani folk heritage.[2] These performances were instrumental in bringing her music to a wider audience.[4] She is particularly celebrated for her powerful delivery and ability to connect with the audience during live events.[2] The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa, recorded and preserved several of her performances.[5]
Awards and recognition
In March 2009, she was honoured with Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan for her contributions to music.[6]
The Bahawalpur Arts Council honored Nazar at a ceremony at Rashidiya Hall, where she was "crowned" and presented with prizes by fans and socio-cultural organizations.[2] At another ceremony in Quetta, a former Federal Minister for Water and Power presented her with a gold medal.[2]
Personal life and death
Much of Nazar's kafi work was composed by her husband, the musician Ustad Nazar Hussain Khan.[2][7] He was a student of classical musician Ustad Umeed Ali Khan and served him in Hyderabad for a decade.[2]
She died in 2011 at Bahawalpur, Pakistan.[5]
Discography
- Kadan Walso Sohna Sanwla
- Nakhat Hain Na Gull Hain
- Dillri Luti Ten Yaar Sajan
- Sohne Yaar Baajo Meri Naeen Sar Si
- Mahi Yaar Di Gharoli
- Mill Mahiwala O Mill Mahiwal
- Sawan Megh Malhran
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Pride of Performance | Award by the President of Pakistan | Won | Arts | [6] |
References
- ^ "Panjnad bridge leads to agony (includes info about her award)". Dawn newspaper. 10 September 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "ریڈیو پاکستان کی نامور گلوکارہ پروین نذر" [Radio Pakistan's renowned singer Parveen Nazar]. Nawa-i-Waqt. 13 January 2015.
- ^ Who's Who: Music in Pakistan. Sheikh, M. A. via Google Books website. p. 202.
- ^ a b c d e f "Kafi singer to be honoured". Dawn News. 21 March 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "معروف لوک گلوکارہ پروین نذر اپنے گھر پر انتقال کر گئیں". Pakistan Television Corporation. 2011.
- ^ a b "Civil awards conferred on 44 personalities". The Business Recorder. 24 November 2022.
- ^ "مائی اللہ وسائی سرائیکی میں گیت گائیکی متعارف کرانے والی فنکارہ". Express News. 29 October 2017.