The Reigning Begum - Interview with Padmabhushan Sursamragyi Begum Parveen Sultana

In this Chaitime, we talk with Padmabhushan Sursamragyi Begum Parveen Sultana. Parveen Sultana does not need any introductions. She debuted on stage at the age of twelve. In 1965 she recorded her first EP for EMI India, and in 1967 her first LP for the same label. She was conferred the Padmashri in 1976, at the age of 25 and was awarded Padma Bhushan (2014) by the Government of India, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 1998, given by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. Parveen Sultana has sung for Bollywood movies such as Gadar, Kudrat, Do Boond Pani, and Pakeezah, and several other Assamese films. She was awarded Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for the song "Hame Tumse Pyar Kitna" for the film Kudrat.