Mixing poetry, song and spirituality, this art form continues to grow in the UK…
LOVERS of Qawwali – a musical tradition of vocals first popularised by singers in South Asia more than 800 years ago and boosted by the global impact of Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan (1948-1997) – will gather in London to discuss its future and development tomorrow.
Themed – Echoes of Devotion: The Art, History and Legacy of Qawwali, it is being presented by Sama and the Institute of Ismali Studies at the Aga Khan Centre in the capital.
Sama, run by long time musical producer Jay Visvadeva, is currently supporting a UK summer tour – close to completion now by well-known Qawwali outfit, Najmuddin Saifuddin and Group.
Visvadeva also helped to organise some of the early UK tours by Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan.
Visvadeva answers some questions about Sufi posed by www.asianculturevulture.com.
Qawwali came out of the Sufi tradition of Islam and is closely connected to spiritualty, devotion and brotherhood and is strongly associated with the 13th century Sufi figure, Amir Khusrau – he brought together several different linguistic and musical traditions – merging Persian, Arabic, Turkic, Sanskrit and Urdu into a popular mix readily understood by ordinary people at the time.
In later periods, Urdu poetry was often adapted or co-opted into Qawwali.
www.asianculturevulture.com (ACV): Why is Qawwali important?
Jay Visvadeva (JV): Qawwali was little known beyond South Asia until the late 20th century.
Although there have been many good Qawwali performers in the mid-1970s, it was not until the late 1980s, that the music gained a truly global audience, primarily through the work of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who has been widely recognised as the finest Qawwal of the second half of the 20th century.
ACV: How did it develop under his influence?
JV: Nusrat eventually attracted the attention of the motion-picture and world-music industries with his virtuosic and energetic performances, toured on the world-music concert circuit, and ultimately, garnered for Qawwali a diverse and widespread listenership.
ACV: In the very beginning, instruments were not permitted and only men could perform to other men – but the art form began to change and grow beyond its original remit – long before the 20th century…?
JV: Yes, the globalisation of Qawwali has brought a number of significant changes to the tradition.
Most notably, performances now take place in non-religious contexts for mixed audiences of men and women.
Moreover, the musical forms, instrumentation, and texts often are adjusted specifically to satisfy the tastes and expectations of international audiences. What has remained unaltered, however, is the music’s spiritual essence.
ACV: Why is it important to organise this seminar?
JV: We explore one of the most enchanting, soulful, and transcendent art forms in the world – Qawwali.
For centuries, this musical tradition has been a medium for expressing love, devotion, and the spiritual connection between the human soul and the Divine.
From the poetry of Amir Khusrau to the mesmerizing performances of some of the finest Qawwals who continue to touch hearts and minds across the globe.
At the seminar we’ll be delving deep into the rich history of Qawwali, understanding its musical intricacies, and experiencing the spiritual power it embodies. We will also hear from scholars, artists, and practitioners who will guide us through the fascinating journey of this tradition.
ACV: You have brought Najmuddin Saifuddin & Group to the UK from Pakistan and their 18 date city tour is almost over?
JV: This is first time in seven years the group have performed in the UK. They are five brothers with Najmuddin leading.
They can trace their roots back to the 13th century and much of their music has been handed down from generation to generation and contains mystical poetry. It’s been a very successful tour so far with five dates still go.
ACV: They sing in different languages and dialects?
JV: Yes, they do – they have an extensive Qawwali range and are familiar with much of the work that originated in the classical period and North Indian dialects such as Braj Basha, Awadhi, and Purbi.
These continue to have an influence on lyrics also created in Urdu, Punjabi, Persian and Saraiki.
ACV: How do you see the future of Qawwali?
JV: It is very safe as there are many British Qawwali groups, around 10. The genre has blossomed after Nusrat.
Among those speaking at the seminar tomorrow are –
Dr Saif Mahmood, an eminent authority on Urdu poetry and its culture. Dr Mahmood is the vice president of Urdu Culture London and Trustee of Anjuman Tarriqi Urdu UK. A commercial lawyer by background, he has also been a visiting academic at the University of Oxford and penned the bestselling, ‘Beloved Delhi: A Mughal City and Her Greatest Poets’
Kamran Anwar is the director behind the film, ‘Songs of the Sufi’ which has screened before some of the concerts and is a frequent speaker on art, culture and contemporary Pakistani art.
Najmuddin Mohammad comes from a long line of distinguished Qawwals and heads a group known as Najm Saif Qawal. Mohammad has been known to sing Qawwali in English too.
Jameela Siddiqi is an award winning broadcaster, journalist and writer and an expert on Indian classical music and the author of ‘The Intimate Other – Love Divine in Indic Religions’. It looks at devotional music of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
Wajiha Athar Naqvi is a singer an ethnomusicologist from Karachi, Pakistan. She continues to sing and document contemporary Qawwali music.
Kaleem Sheikh, another ethnomusicologist, joins the panel which also includes Visvadeva
Listings
Qawwali Seminar: Echoes of Devotion: The Art History and Legacy of Qawwali 6.30pm-9.30pm
Institute of Ismali Studies at the Aga Khan Centre, 10 Handyside Street, London N1C 4DN
Currently showing as sold out (free) but contact centre for the latest – https://www.agakhancentre.org.uk/
Remaining concerts
Najmuddin Saifuddin & Group
Manchester – Friday, June 20
7.30pm – Carole Nash Hall The Stoller Hall Hunts Bank, M3 1 DA.
Oxford – SJE Arts
Saturday June 21, 7.30pm
St John the Evangelist Church, 109A Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1EH.
Cardiff – Royal College of Music
Sunday, June 22
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (Dora Stoutzker Hall), Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ER
https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/our-campus/dora-stoutzker-hall
Cambridge – July 5
Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge, CB1 7GX
For more details go to www.sama.co.uk/email: info@sama.co.uk
