Saira Peter, MSc(Hons) MA (London) Director

Saira Peter MSc MA (Lon) is a British-Pakistani soprano officially recognised as the world’s first Sufi Opera ® singer. She is Director of NJArts London, a multicultural performing arts centre opened in 1998 by Sir Cliff Richard OBE. She is also founder of Saira Arts Academy in Karachi. British-Pakistani soprano Saira Peter is Pakistan’s first operatic singer and is developing the world’s first “Sufi Opera”, a fusion of Pakistani and Western music based on a sufi folk story (first aria: ). Professionally trained in both Western and Pakistani classical voice, she moves between diverse genres and has performed internationally in 17 languages. Saira’s academic training provides a scientific approach to music and she is devoted to promoting human inclusion worldwide through her music. Her unique professional profile continues to draw the attention of print, electronic and social media worldwide.

Saira recently entered the world of OSTs (Original Soundtracks), her duet OST for GEO TV’s blockbuster drama Dil Awaiz has received 1.3 million views so far, and she also recorded a solo OST for HUM TV’s serial Nehar with 3.6 million viewers.  Some of her many memorable live performances include a 90-min solo concert at Rumi Mystic Music Festival 2021 (Konya); singing a Sufi Opera composition for Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi at Presidential Palace (Islamabad); performing for ex-President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and twice for Governor of Sindh, Muhammad Zubair (Governor House Karachi); solos at Sufi Peace Fest ’16, which she also hosted (London City Hall); unveiling of MA Jinnah’s bust at British Museum; and various official events at Pakistan High Commission London, where she is a regularly featured artist.

Saira has performed solo concerts at virtually all of Pakistan’s high profile venues. At Islamabad Arts Fest 2019, the nation’s largest ever international arts event, she was awarded ‘Best Musical Performance’ out of over three hundred artists from forty nations. She has lectured on Pakistani classical and sufi music at various US universities. In 2018 Saira recorded the British National Anthem by request of British Government offices in Hastings, UK, who use it on official social media and play it at official ceremonies. Upon hearing the recording, the late Queen’s Lady-in-waiting sent a letter of appreciation on behalf of Her Majesty. In June 2022, Saira performed as a soloist at the launch of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Bucklebury, UK, in the presence of the Lord of the Manor. In October 2022, she was again commissioned by the British Government, this time to record “God Save the King” following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Saira was specially featured as ‘Pride of Pakistan’ in a full-page interview as part of a special series in Daily Times (Aug 2020). She is in high demand for concerts, recordings and TV programmes in Pakistan and beyond.

Pakistan’s first operatic singer, World’s first ‘Sufi Opera’™ Singer

Fanpage: www.facebook.com/sairaptr    Website: www.sairapeter.org.uk      Email: info@sairapeter.org.uk

Twitter: @saira_peter    Instagram: saira.peter