Abida Parveen missed singing for Ra.One

Singer Abida Parveen says that she built a connect with Delhi courtesy her music. Her first visit to Delhi happened about 15 years ago and each time she comes to the capital, she makes sure she has time to visit some holy place here.
For Abida the custom of paying obeisance at – Nizamuddin Dargah, Hazrat Ameer Khusru Rehmatullah Aleh and Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki Rehmatullah Aleh – before she gets busy with work hasn’t changed.“Dilli toh ghar hai humara. The question is not about why. The recognition and reverence which I have got from people here has cemented the bond I share with the city. Buzurganideen ne jo mohabbat dakhil kar di hai zehen mein wohh toh kabhie kam nahin hogi. Delhi has a dargahi mahaul and that is my home,” she says.
Abida may have distanced herself from Bollywood all these years, but the singer tells us that she would like to work with Indian artistes. Abida was also approached by Shah Rukh Khan to sing for his movie “RA.One”, but the plan couldn’t materialise as she was away. “We were in talks, but nothing happened as I had to be in London for a performance. And the schedule was such that it couldn’t be worked out,” she says, adding, “But I would love to work with SRK.” As she discusses her love for Bollwyood, Abida tells us she has never been fond of just one actor. She says, “I have a lot of favourites – Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and SRK. Salman enjoys a huge fan following back home. Sab ko aise jaanti hoon jaise kisi azeez ko jaante hain. As a kid, I may not have had enough time to watch Amitabh’s movies, since I would be always busy with my training, but I have watched his work. And his movie “Sharaabi” remains my favourite.”
Talking about her music, Abida goes on to explain, “Sufi music is about spiritualism, and the key idea is to make people aware about the need to spread love.” The power of Sufi music is such that it makes people react with happiness and leaving many crying, says the Pakistani singer. And the effect doesn’t stop at crying, as many have even fainted! During her performance in the Royal Festival Hall last year, Abida had witnessed how people from Japan, China, Britain and USA had fainted. “If the kalaam is powerful, it will create an equally powerful atmosphere. The impact of music is indelible – people enter the spiritual world and in the process distance themselves from their real selves. People do discuss with me their experiences. People say that they feel different, many have also told me that they feel healed after listening to me sing. Many also carry my CDs which has dohas of Hazrat Baba Pir Sai. They all love to stay connected with the spiritual experience,” she says.
The Sufi singer feels that music is so powerful that it can make people become tolerant towards other religions and religious beliefs. “Every saint has practiced the art of embracing the evil. The more we spread love, the more will we be able to curb negative feelings and thoughts.” Is it true that she has had visions of Sufi saints during her performances? “Saints are never dead... They are always present. Bas aisa hota hai ki woh chupp jaatein hain. Jiska kalaam jab paesh kiya jaye, wohh rooh tab maujud hoti hai,” she replies.
Reacting to daughter Mariam’s opinion that neither of her siblings took up music as a profession because of the fear of not being able to meet people’s expectations, the Pakistani singer says, “I have always encouraged my children to enter the field of music. One can’t be ‘somewhat’ committed to Sufi music, you need full commitment. You have to pay attention to every minute detail. My children have discussed this with me and I have told them if you have the commitment, you can do wonders. Shaukiya kum chaltey hain isme.”