The Asian Media Awards have announced the nominations for this year and we’re proud that Abida Parveen and Nahid Siddiqui, are finalists as part of our opening MIF19 weekend event.

On Friday 5 July 2019 Abida Parveen, the world’s greatest spiritual singer, returned to the Festival almost six years to the date since her last performance in Manchester at MIF13, for a unique collaboration with Nahid Siddiqui, a legend of kathak dance.

Over 1,000 people from across Greater Manchester came to witness this sold-out event together with people from cities throughout the UK and overseas. An inspirational evening of sacred music and dance, the two artists performed together sending a message of peace, love and harmony.

The Daily Times
“Abida Parveen enthrals audience during Manchester International Festival 2019” 

“Audiences in the United Kingdom once again had a chance to witness the magic that she invokes onstage, encapsulated in what was one of the most emotive music performance of 2019.”

Desium.co.uk
“The 7th Manchester International Festival held earlier this year saw the popular Pakistani Sufi singer, Abida Parveen regale the audiences with an incredible performance of all the classic hits. Joining Parveen on the night at the festival was one of the world’s finest kathak dancers, Nahid Siddiqui… The special collaboration between the two internationally acclaimed artists was a treat for all those present.”

Manchester Evening News
“It is something of a rarity, and a very pleasant surprise, to see a woman at the helm of a religious devotion performance and especially one with such presence. She is a Mother Earth, almost God-like figure, an image that is strengthened when Siddiqui joins the trio on stage again, dancing to Parveen’s vocals in a state of apparent ecstasy, as if flooded with a divine force, the origin of which she does not know.”

“The soul-searing honesty and sheer power of those vocals, the beat of the tabla and the dholak graduating from muted to frenetic and hitting you right in the solar plexus.”

Voice Mag
“Siddiqui’s fluidity of self, through minutely precise movements was captivating. The control and command over her body demonstrated the sheer talent she possesses.”

“I was immediately mesmerised by Parveen’s transcendent quality and ability to command the stage. The audience was riveted, transfixed by the sacred music, all with a message of peace, love and harmony.”

God is in the TV
“Singing in a contralto voice she generates enormous force and when the tempo is ramped up, dervish-like, as it is three or four times in every song, it becomes evident she is living it as much as singing it.”

Jet Set Chick
“I was mesmerised by Abida who sat there in traditional clothes, on the floor, centre stage, her big hair curly, wild and fabulous and when she smiled back at the audience her face glowed and it was infectious… The Queen of Sufi music held and captivated each and every one of us.”

Krishna Haveliwala announced the finalists for Best Live Event with Abida Parveen and Nahid Siqqiqui at MIF19 nominated alongside The London Mela, Muslim Lifestyle Expo, Aashni + Co Wedding Show and Manchester Museum’s Jallianwala Bagh 1919: Punjab under Siege.

The Asian Media Awards honours the talent, drive and innovation of those who excel in the British Asian and Mainstream media; recognising the strength and depth of the media industry – from journalists working in local newspapers and internet bloggers to TV presenters and PR experts. The winners will be announced on 24 October.

Image credit – Priti Shikotra