Riyaaz Qawwali , an ensemble, whose musicians have been performing qawwali professionally for the past 15 years, brings you a brief introduction to this powerful form of music. What is Qawwali ? Qawwali is a genre of music that has been used for centuries to spark religious devotion and bring listeners to a state of spiritual union with God. Qawwalis are often sung by Sufis as praise for religious teachers, saints, and scholars. Qawwali lyrics draw inspiration from Islam and use several poetry ... A beginner's guide to Qawwali music Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is widely credited for bringing global attention to Qawwali music, extending the 600yr old Qawwali tradition of his family. Domain: Performing arts State: Across India Description: Traditionally, Qawwali is a devotional music. It belongs to a tradition of Islamic mysticism and contains the compositions by the Sufi saints. The salient feature of Qawwali is an elaborate verbal code sung to the beat of the Dholak. Its repertoire comes from the different saintly lineages, and also those which reflect regional styles and languages. It extends to the larger network of social and ideological base. Apart from religious ... qawwali , in India and Pakistan, an energetic musical performance of Sufi Muslim poetry that aims to lead listeners to a state of religious ecstasy—to a spiritual union with Allah (God). The music was popularized outside of South Asia in the late 20th century, owing largely to its promotion by the world-music industry. Deriving its name from the Arabic word qaul, meaning "to speak," qawwali is a musical vehicle by which a group of male musicians—called qawwal s—delivers inspirational ...
