At the age of 7, Sanam Marvi started training in the basics of classical music under the mentorship of her father. Within two years of initial training, Sanam was formally enrolled in classical singing classes (raags, ghazal, and thumri) under different Ustads. Sanam, who fondly describes herself as the ingenious Abida Parveen’s disciple, is blessed with one of those magical voices that have the power of transporting you to the mystical lands of our Sufi saints. Well versed in Sufi-texts and folk music, whether she sings Urdu, Sindhi, or Saraiki, Sanam manages to draw listeners from outside the cultural world of the South Asian Sufi-saints into their message.

Having begun her training at such an early age, she has performed at multiple Sufi shrines across Sindh and Punjab. Sanam sang her first Sindhi song during a competition at LokVirsa in Islamabad, which she also won. She then went on to perform at the Rafi Peer Theatre in 2004 and 2005. Debuting with PTV program ‘Virsa Heritage’, Sanam has since gone on to become one of the most well regarded Sufi singers of the region. In 2010, Sanam gave a solo performance at an Indian Sufi music festival called Jahan-e-Khusrau and in 2011 went on to perform with renowned Indian singer Rekha Bhardwaj. She continues to carry this legacy and has performed for multiple previous Coke Studio seasons, producing hits like Hairaan Hua, Lagi Bina/Chal Mele Noon Challiye and Koi Labda. 

She has also received multiple awards for her contribution to the arts. This includes the Latif Award in 2011, given by the Government of Sindh for making extraordinary contributions the Department of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities (for singing the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai), the Best Singer award from the Sufism University and the UNESCO Award given to her at 9^th International Music Festival (Festival Sharq Taronalari) held in Samarqand in 2013. Sanam is the second artist to have received this award, the first being the great Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Her most recent award was the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz given by the President of Pakistan in March 2020.

Sanam believes Sufi music has a universal and timeless appeal and Sufi kalaam has the ability to provide a sense of comfort.

“It is our responsibility to make music so that the message we are trying to spread through our voice and words reaches people.” – Sanam Marvi