Abida Parveen
Legendary Pakistani Sufi singer Abida Parveen shared a deeply emotional tribute to iconic Indian playback singer Asha Bhosle, calling herself “a mere student” of the late music legend.
Bhosle, who passed away at the age of 92 in Mumbai last week, left behind an unmatched musical legacy that continues to inspire generations. In a heartfelt Instagram video, Parveen described Bhosle’s voice as “a gift to the world,” adding that words fall short in capturing her greatness.
Speaking in Urdu, Parveen expressed that Bhosle’s artistry transcended language and time. She reflected on how the singer’s voice carried unmatched emotion and precision across decades. She also fondly mentioned Lata Mangeshkar, referring to her as “didi,” while calling Bhosle “Tai,” emphasizing that voices like theirs are rare and timeless.
In a spiritual tone, Parveen described her admiration as aqeedat—a form of deep devotion. She recalled fulfilling her long-held wish to meet both sisters during the 2012 music reality show Sur Kshetra, where she served as a judge alongside Bhosle and Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila.
Highlighting Bhosle’s influence, Parveen noted that countless musicians begin their journey by singing her songs. “We are all her students,” she said, praising the late singer’s discipline and devotion, describing her music as a form of worship.
Her tribute resonated widely across borders, with fans from both India and Pakistan celebrating the shared cultural legacy. Social media users praised the message as a reminder that music transcends boundaries, religion, and politics.
Among those reacting was Grammy-winning Pakistani artist Arooj Aftab, who expressed her admiration in the comments. Fans echoed similar sentiments, calling both Parveen and Bhosle timeless gifts to humanity.
The tribute comes amid controversy in Pakistan, where the media authority Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had issued a notice to a leading network over airing content related to Bhosle, sparking public backlash.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, a poster honoring Bhosle at the National College of Arts described her as the “songstress of the subcontinent,” reflecting the deep admiration she continues to command across borders.
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