Qawwali, an Arabic word denoting “utterance,” is a form of devotional music practiced by Islamic mystics, or Sufis, as they are known in their respective regions. The term encompasses both medium and style in its performance, and has been a dominant feature of Islamic culture since the 12th century. Hazrat Amir Khusrou, a disciple of the Sufi saint Ali, introduced the Qawwali form in Delhi, where Ali’s shrine is also located.
Qawwalis, much like Classical Indian Ragas, are devotional songs that express their sentiments with poetry set to music. This lyrical and rhythmic form of music stirs the audience to sing and dance, much like the romantic Ghazals, a slower and more secular Indian song-form, also developed by Khusrou. Qawwali performances typically feature a lead singer or two, a harmonium, a dhol and/or a tabla player, and can include clapping and chorus singing.
The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a renowned Pakistani artist, introduced Qawwali music to Western audiences through his energetic recordings and concerts. His singing effortlessly transcended language and cultural barriers, and his spirit reached and moved people all over the world.
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the Sabri Brothers were the first to introduce fusion into Qawwali, a technique that has since been widely adopted.
Notable Qawwali singers include Farid Ayaz (also spelled Fareed Ayyaz) & Abu Muhammad, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Badar Miandad, Rizwan & Muazzam Duo, Qutbi Brothers, the late Amjad Sabri, Wadali Brothers, Nizami Bandhu, Bahauddin Qutbuddin, Imran Shaukat Ali, Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, Afzaal Ali Khan Qawal, among others.
Most modern Qawwali singers, including Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Fareed Ayyaz & Abu Muhammad, belong to the famed ‘Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana’ school of Qawwali, which was based in Delhi before 1947 and migrated to Pakistan after the Partition of British India.
American qawwali music ensemble Riyaaz Qawwali performs Qawwali music and also incorporates various songs and poetry of South Asia into the Qawwali framework. The ensemble uses Qawwali as a universal message of oneness that transcends religious boundaries. While most Qawwali ensembles are composed of Muslim family members, Riyaaz Qawwali, based in Texas, consists of musicians who represent the diversity of South and Central Asia. They are of Indian, Pakistani, Afghani, and Bangladeshi descent, and come from various spiritual backgrounds, including Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
Today, Qawwali is widely regarded as one of the world’s most passionate and vibrant forms of music. Its lyrical and rhythmic fusion, coupled with its powerful spiritual message, have earned it a special place in the hearts of its audiences.
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.
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