Qawwality Qawwali Can Bring Sanity To Your Life

 

Qawwali can also be written as “Qavvali.” It is a form of devotional singing that originated from the Indian Subcontinent.

 

This soulful music aims to lead its listeners to a state of spiritual union with Allah (God). Its energetic yet peaceful aura leaves even the foreigners to its language, calm. Thus, to be a qawwal is more than being a performer or artist. One must be willing to release the mind and soul body to achieve ecstasy through enlightening music.

 

 

1. Origin on Qawwali

Sufi Saint Amir Khusro created the Qawwali by fusion of Persia, Turkish, Arabic and Indian traditions in the 13 century.

 

 

2. Language Of Qawwali

Qawwali is usually performed in either Urdu or Punjabi due to its origin in South Asia. Now Qawwali is sung in many languages like Hindi, Farsi, Braj Bhasha and Awadhi.

 

 

3. Structure of Qawwali group

The Qawwali group or party consists of eight to 10 members: two lead singers, one Harmonium player, one Tabla player, one Dholak professional. There are also four to five members who repeat the verse and help the singers. All the instruments are played traditionally in Qawwali.

 

 

4. Evolution of Qawwali

Qawwali was only known in South Asia, but later in the 20th-century, it became mainstream music and got famous. Women were allowed to sing and watch Qawwali. WOMAD festival and supported by the record label of Peter Gabriel, who gave these musicians a platform to perform.

 

 

5. Qawwali Legend – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was the Pakistani Legendary Qawwali singer born on 13 October 1948 in Faisalabad, Pakistan. He was from a Qawwali family background with his father, who was a Qawwali singer. In 1980, Oriental Star Agencies signed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for their album release. He is the owner of a Guinness World Record for Most Qawwali Recordings in 2001.

 

 

6. The Sabri Brothers

Sabri Brothers are the pillars of Qawwali, a group formed by two brothers Maqbool Ahmed Sabri and Ghulam Farid Sabri. The brothers were the first Qawwali performers at Carnegie Hall, New York, in 1975.

 

 

7. Shakeela Bano Bhopali

Shakeela Bano Bhopali was the Indian film actress and the first-ever Qawwali female singer. She was born in 1942 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

 

 

It is always a pleasure to listen to Qawwali as you lose yourself in its positive and soul touching vibes. These are stress busters in your life, and we are lucky to be part of such a culture.