Triple Shot: Abida Parveen Sings Kabir

They say you should never mix your nasha (intoxicants). On the one hand, you have Kabir the great poet-philospher whose timeless verses are given voice by the Sufi Empress Abida Parveen. One nasha on top of another.  (Gulzar)

What a treat. The poetry of Kabir sung by Abida Parveen introduced by the legendary writer/poet/director Gulzar.  In his introduction to the song, Sahib Mera Ek Hai (My Master is One), Gulzar could have added that his spoken interludes are in fact a third nasha. But he is too humble.

Gulzar

The combination of this artistic trio makes perfect sense. Kabir, perhaps the greatest of the bhakti poets, composed concise pithy couplets whose essence is purely mystical, a language and approach Abida has spent her entire life promoting.  Gulzar, has distinguished himself by working only with artists and on projects that he knows can deliver quality and uphold human dignity. 

Abida Parveen

This collection is in wide circulation but it deserves to be given as much promotion as possible.  The music and Abida’s voice are perfectly balanced, which is often not the case on her recordings. Her voice is simply so powerful it often renders accompanying music irrelevant.   But on this album Abida exercises a restraint that allows the tasteful arrangements to add color and atmosphere. It is indeed a heady mixture of drugs.

If you love Kabir, or Abida or simply a fan of straight ahead contemporary South Asian Sufi music you should have this in your collection.

            Track Listing:

01. Maan Lago Yaar

02. Sounn To Sapna Milum

03.  Sahib Mera Ek Hai

04. Bhala Hua Meri Matk

Listen here.