Farida Parveen

Farida Parveen (born 31 December 1954)^[1] is a Bangladeshi folk singer. Referred to as "the Queen of Lalon song,"^[2] she received Ekushey Padak in 1987^[3] and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film Andho Prem (1993).^[4]

Farida Parveen ফরিদা পারভীন
Parveen at the Universal Sufi Festival 2017
Background information
Born	(1954-12-31) 31 December 1954 (age 70)
Origin	Natore District, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan
Genres	Lalon, folk
Occupation	singer
Instrument(s)	instrumental, vocal
Years active	1968–present

Early life

Parveen was born in Natore and was brought up in Kushtia. Her father worked in the health service. As a child she used to play a harmonium.^[5] In 1968, she was enlisted with Rajshahi Betar as a Nazrul singer.^[6] She graduated from Kushtia Government College under Rajshahi University.^[7]

Parveen first took lesson from Komal Chakrabarti. Later on, she received lessons in classical music from Ustaad Ibrahim Khan, Ustad Rabindranath Ray, Ustad Osman Goni and Ustad Motaleb Biswas. She then learnt Nazrul songs from Ustad Mir Muzaffar Ali and Ustad Abdul Qadir. She was introduced to Lalon music by Moksed Ali Shai.^[2]

Career

Parveen started her career with Nazrul Sangeet. In 1973, she performed the patriotic song Ei Padma Ei Meghna and the Lalon song Shatyo Bol Shupothey Chol. Her other songs are Tomra Bhulei Gechho Mallikadir Naam, Nindar Kanta Jodi and several Lalon classics. ^{[citation needed]} She sings mostly Lalon songs.^[8] In 2014, she performed in a sufi festival organized by Bangladesh embassy and the Centre for Fine Arts in Belgium.^[9] In 2015, she performed in New Delhi at a program organized by Bangladesh High commission on Pohela Boishakh.^[10]

Personal life

Parveen was married to lyricist and composer Abu Zafar (1943–2024).^[11]

Works

Songs

• "Ei Padma Ei Meghna"
• "Barir Kache Arshi Nogor"
• "Shatyo Bol Shupothey Chol"
• "Tomra Bhulei Gechho Mallikader Naam"
• "Nindar Kata Jodi"
• "Porga Namaz Jene Shune"

Albums

• Khachar Vitor Ochin Pakhi
• Kishoree Bou
• Milon Hobe Koto Dine
• Nindar Kata
• Pap Punner Kotha
• Shomoi Gele Shodhan Hobena
• Tomra Vule Gacho

Awards

• Feroza Begum Memorial Gold Medal (2019)
• Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize (2008)
• Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer (1993)^[12]
• Ekushey Padak (1987)
• Anannya Top Ten Awards (2008)