Abida Parveen, Salim–Sulaiman's 'O Mere Maula' featuring Pankaj Tripathi will leave you teary-eyed

The cross-border collaboration celebrates the spirit of giving in the Holy month of Ramazan.

Ahead of Eid, legendary Pakistani singer Abida Parveen and Indian composer duo Salim-Sulaiman have released O Mere Maula, a special cross-border Ramazan collaboration featuring Pankaj Tripathi.

The song, that released on April 9, has already surpassed 300,000 views on YouTube. Salim-Sulaiman share in its description, "Celebrating the spirit of Eid, year after year, with popular songs like Bismillah, Allahu Akbar and Astagfirullah, we present to you O Mere Maula, featuring the legend Abida Parveen.”

The video begins with a glimpse of Mumbai, Islamabad and Toronto, to highlight where all the artists involved are spread across. Connected through screens as they serenade, they appear in synch, not only vocally but in spirit as they spread a religious and humanitarian message. The song also incorporates Quranic verses as it revitalises the need for zakat, even when one is tight on cash and struggling to feed their own. The video pans back and forth between the singers and the narrative, that revolves around a family that sells flutes to make ends meet. A single father, played by Tripathi, is seen raising his son and daughter with values otherwise lacking in society today. 

Despite that, the son is seen pocketting some of the money earned through the sales before reporting to his father. Tripathi catches him red handed, lashing out in anguish at the apparent betrayal. But in a fortunate turn of events, it is revealed that the boy was only trying to save some money to feed a bunch of people in need. He also involves his sister in the deed, and is spotted by his father, who then joins him too.

Listeners touched by the track are hailing "Sufi queen Abida Parveen” in its comments section, as well as the composer duo. Kalpana Bhagat writes, “Abida Parveen ma'am, you are like mother earth to us. Whenever we hear your voice, we feel better.” A user named Muskan adds, “The word Maula brings peace itself.” An Indian user named Jashobanta Das comments, “Didn’t understand most of the words but the story portrayed is very heart touching and the music is immensely soulful.” Another adds, “No one can beat Abida Ji when it comes to Sufi kalaam! No one!”

Parveen garnered immense praise earlier this year with her Coke Studio number Tu Jhoom opposite Naseebo Laal. The legend's musical appeal is global with even Hollywood actor Jada Smith having dubbed her a “spiritual mother”.

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