Introduction
Understanding this tradition
qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music in South Asia, particularly related to the Shishtiyya and the shrines of saints. A soloist, a chorus of respondents and percussionists increase the intensity around poems in Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi or other languages.
First listening
Three things to hear
- Follow the alternation between main worm and choir response.
- Find the moment when the tempo and the register rise.
- Search for a translation of the poem before interpreting its meaning.
History and transmission
The stories often associate its development with Amīr Khusrau, but the present form results from centuries of evolution. The families of qawwāl transmit repertoire, pronunciation and art to adapt the performance to the assembly. International concerts of the twentieth century have become globalized.
What does it look like?
Synchronous clappations, phrases taken by the choir, harmonium, rhythmic cycles and vocal improvisations. The order of texts can range from the praise of God and the Prophet to that of the saints, depending on the place and occasion.
Where and why are we listening?
At the sanctuary, the gifts, the audience reactions and the presence of the tomb shape the performance. On stage, the same artists can shorten or reorganize the plays. Both frames are not interchangeable.
Artists, works and albums
Three listening doors
Each button opens a search targeted on an external platform. Orabel does not read, copy and host any audio files.
Shahen-Shah
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
A major entrance into the art of qawwali in the 20th century.Pakistan: The Music of the Qawal
Sabri Brothers
A reference archive to hear the order and endurance of the form.Qawwali
Meraj Ahmed and Party
A group attached to the shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya.Listen and transmit with respect
Do not present any Sufi music as qawwali. Credit lines and languages, and avoid treating wajd as a simple reproducible trance technique.
Sources