Irvine Barclay Theatre: BEGUM PARWEEN SULTANA

Experience the extraordinary artistry of Begum Parween Sultana, one of India’s most celebrated classical singers. Renowned for her nearly four-octave vocal range, crystal-clear tone, and remarkable versatility, Sultana moves effortlessly from slow, meditative "alaaps" (improvised melodic introductions) to rapid, exhilarating "taans" (fast melodic runs), bringing both depth and brilliance to every performance. She is a modern Hindustani superstar.

Born into a musical family of Afghan heritage, she began training as a child and made her public debut at age twelve. Her command of "khayal" (expressive classical songs), "thumri" (romantic or devotional light classical songs), and "bhajan" (devotional songs) reflects a lifetime devoted to the "sadhana" (spiritual discipline and practice) of classical music, while her expressive style has earned her the title “Cleopatra of Music.” At just 26, she became the youngest artist to receive the Padma Shri (one of India’s highest civilian honors).

Join us for an unforgettable evening with a voice that transcends tradition and touches the soul.

Begum Parween Sultana is joined by vocalist Shadab Sultana; Mukundraj Deo and Abhijit Banerjee, on tabla, and Srinivas Acharya, on harmonium.

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