Sufi Qawwali Music – History, Legends and Spiritual Heritage
One of the most unique and powerful styles of devotional music in the spiritual and cultural heritage of South Asian Muslims is Sufi Qawwali. Qawwali is a music that merges the soulful singing with Sufi poetry, rhythmic clapping, harmonium, tabla, dholak and powerful chorus singing, around themes of devotion, love, longing, spirituality and the quest for divine connection.
The history of Qawwali is quite long and interesting and has been sung for generations at Sufi shrines, spiritual gatherings, mehfils, cultural events and other gatherings. It has been nurtured and developed by many musical families and qawwals over the years. This essential tradition has been preserved for new generations by their voices, compositions and performances.
The Spirituality of Qawwali
The history of Qawwali is quite long and interesting and has been sung for generations at Sufi shrines, spiritual gatherings, mehfils, cultural events and other gatherings. It has been nurtured and developed by many musical families and qawwals over the years. This essential tradition has been preserved for new generations by their voices, compositions and performances.
Sufi Qawwali is essentially linked to Sufi ideas and poetry. The lyrics often revolve around the bond of the seeker and the Divine, the themes of love, separation, devotion, humility, sacrifice, longing and spiritual awakening.
The language of human love was used by the Sufi poets to voice the greater spiritual ideas. Consequently, there are multiple levels of meanings that can be present in Qawwali poetry. One listener might enjoy the poetry itself as a piece of music and literature, another listener might relate to the lyrics of the poetry.
Another feature of qawwali is that important verses are repeated. During a performance, a given line can be repeated by the chorus; the words may be varied and improvised by the lead qawwal. The tempo and the feeling begins to build up slowly and slowly, until it reaches a level that is typical of traditional Qawwali.
Traditional Qawwali Performance
Typically a Qawwali group consists of a qawwali khayal singer, a group of qawwals, harmonium players and percussion. The singers tend to sit together and the other singers answer the lead singer.
Tabla and dholak give the rhythm and harmonium gives the melody. Another integral part of the traditional performance is hand clapping.
What is interesting about the Qawwali is that it is not necessarily performed in a specific format. Advanced qawwals can repeat verses, compose melodies, alter rhythms and dialogue with the chorus and audience. This is not just a studio recording of Qawwali but live.
Sufi Poetry
Poems are one of the most integral parts of Qawwali music. Over the course of its history, qawwals have recited the poetry of various famous Sufi and classical poets.
Qawwali has been influenced by Persian, Urdu, Punjabi, Saraiki, Hindi and other languages. The poetry frequently talks about divine love, spiritual journeys, the pain of separation, the beauty of the beloved and the desire for spiritual union.
The devotional musical traditions of the South Asian region have been influenced by poets like Amir Khusrau, Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu, Khwaja Ghulam Farid and many others.
Old Darbari Qawwali
Old Darbari Qawwali is a distinct segment of the traditional Sufi music lovers. Earlier sounds, especially the 1970s and 1980s, are captured in recordings that capture a unique characteristic of the music and are valued by collectors and traditional music enthusiasts.
These recordings typically include longer songs, good vocals, traditional instrumentation, good chorus leads, and natural recordings. Old recordings can have more of a raw and intimate quality contrasted to many of the modern productions.
These concerts have become part of listeners' history and act as a link to a previous era of South Asian music.
Legendary Qawwals
The history of Qawwali is linked with the names of the great Qawwals and music families which gave dedicated lives to the practice of Qawwali. The performers of Sufi poetry each had their own style, interpretation, rhythm and style of singing.
The well-known Qawwal Fateh Ali Khan,Muhammad Ali Faridi Qawwal, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan,Ghulam Fareed Sabri,Bakhshi Salamat Qawwal, Rasheed Ahmad Faridi Qawwal,Irshad Sabri Qawwal,Miandad Faridi Qawwal,Sher Ali and Meher Ali Qawwal, Aziz Mian Qawwal ,Badar Miandad, and many other honored performers are associated with Pakistani and South Asian Qawali music.
The tradition was passed down through generations, each adding their own twist. The strength of the voice, emotional expression, poetic delivery, improvisation, and unique musical arrangements gave rise to some qawwals becoming well-known.
These artists' documentation is significant as their recordings shed light on the evolution of Qawwali through the decades.
The journey from Qawwali to South Asian Culture.
Pakistan and India have contributed a lot to the preservation and development of Qawwali. The music can be heard in various cultural and religious settings, such as around Sufi shrines and traditional ceremonies.
The musical styles, languages, and repertoire vary from region to region. The world of devotional music in South Asia is diverse, and has been all influenced by other languages such as Punjabi, Urdu, Persian, Saraiki, Sindhi and so on.
Qawwali is thus not one style of music but many. A cultural hub that unites poetry, spirituality, history, language, family traditions and musical performance.
Preserving Old Recordings
The recordings of old Qawwali are an integral part of this heritage. The many historic performances were captured on vinyl records, audio tapes, radio and other old media. Many of these recordings are now hard to locate and others might be in private collections.
These recordings can be digitised and documented on posterity. The music itself is valuable, but information on the qawwal, the musicians, the poetry, the recording date, location, and musical tradition make these recordings even more valuable.
Useful can be played by a dedicated website that will help to structure information on the legendary qawwals and introduce to the younger generation to the traditional recording of the previous generations.
The revival of Qawwali in the modern Digital Age.
Internet has revolutionized the discovery of Qawwali. The thousands of performances are now available to listeners around the world via YouTube, music platforms, websites, social media, and digital archives.
In this digital revolution, there has also been a chance to preserve recordings that were not heard much, as well as the chance to introduce legendary qawwals to people who might not have heard them before.
As well, it is essential to respect copyright, artist rights and the ownership of recordings when sharing or publishing Qawwali music online.
Our Qawwali Collection and Purpose
This page endeavors to document the history of Sufi Qawwali with particular focus on the Qawwali of the past, traditional and classical Qawwalis.
Readers will find here details about the legendary qawwals, famous Qawwali concerts, Sufi poets, the families of qawwals, the traditional instruments, historical recording and the culture associated with this great musical tradition.
Our aim is to give those who already love Qawwali and those who don't, the voices that have shaped it across the generations. We feel that each of these old recordings holds a legacy of musical history and that the stories of these performances can help to maintain the tradition.
The soulful poetry of the Sufi masters, the powerful voices of the legendary qawwals, the rhythm and the devotion – Qawwali continues to inspire listeners.
Sufi Qawwali is not just a style of music, it is a living culture and the spirit of the tradition, which has been handed down through generations.
Top Qawwali Parties
Irshad Ali Sabri Qawwal
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| Irshad Ali Sabri Qawwal |
- Dunya ka Hoon talib
- Dil Tapa Husn e Sarmadi Kay Liye
- Mil kay Bichray jo Tum Har Khushi Chin gayi
- Deday Jamal e Haq Huwwi
- Yeh zakham hamara Apna hai
- Hum Hosh Bhi apnay Bhool Gaye
- Kiya Wasf Ho Mujh say Biyan
- Rindoon Kay Liye Mekhanay ki
- Shab e Gham Ki Darazi
- Roop Naggar kay tum ho Raja
- Ya sabir Meri bighri bana do
- Hamari Tarraf say salam unko dena
- Bun kay Jamal e Butkadda
- Chuk Parda Sonrhiya Mukhrhay tu
- Na To Izzat na Dolat Barhi cheez hai
He gained too much popularity in these days
Bakhshi Salamat Qawwal
Bakhshi Salamat Qawwal is the last Qawwal in the History of full spirtual Qawwali.He gained too much popularity among local and abroad.He lives first in Multan and full setteled after Faisalabad ,city of qawwal parties.
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| Bakhshi Salamat |
Rasheed Ahmad Fareedi Qawwal
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| Rasheed Ahmad Faridi |
- Chandni Ratain Naat Sharif
- Kaisa Saffar Wo Suhana Ho Ga naat sharif
- Ishq Kay Maray to faryad na karnay paye
- Diya hota kissi ko dil to hoti qaddar bhi dil ki
- Ahle dil ka mudua
- Guzra Hai Kon Mujh Ko Sarre Rah Pukaar Kay
- Tamam Noor Zay Sar Tabapa Garib Nawaz
- Wo Mujh Ko Maste Ishq Bana kar Challey Gaye
- Sabir Piya Ney Faiz Kay Darya Baha Diye
- Shab e Gham Ki Darazi
- Ya Muhammad Mustafa Sallay Ala Sallay Ala
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| Ustad Irshad Sabri Qawwal |
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