(headline image: Nasseruddin Saami – Photo by Ewallop, Asia Society)
Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is Pakistan’s leading classical vocalist and the last living master of the 49-note microtonal surti scale.
A pacesetter of the Delhi gharana, he trained under legendary qawwal Munshi Raziuddin beginning in the 1950s. Saami specialized in khayal, the polished art of Hindustani classical improvisation.
As the sole surviving practitioner of this microtonal system, Saami’s legacy extends through teaching and performances across Pakistan and Europe. Now in his late 70s, his work preserves an endangered musical world that connects spiritual and artistic traditions of the subcontinent.
In 2025, Naseeruddin Saami was one of the Aga Khan Music Awards 2025 finalists.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.