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Omar, Yasmine and Shahroze discuss the history, evolution and spiritual significance of qawwali. Qawwali incorporates music, poetry and story-telling in to a celebration of Love. The singing of qawwali in Sufi shrines and mausoleums is a practice of samaa, a devotional practice that involves singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, praying, reciting poetry and participating in rituals in order to achieve a higher spiritual state.
What We Talk About In This Episode
- Transformation of the ghazal from Arabia, to Iran to the Indian subcontinent
- The use of music in the spread of Islam in the subcontinent
- Borrowed traditions of music and poetry in qawwali
- Qawwali as a means of bridging cultural and spirituals gaps
- World music and performing qawwali for a global audience
- The blending of South Asian folk knowledge and traditions in qawwali
- Performance principles and structures of qawwali
- Haal, kefiyat and trancendence
- Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine in Sehwan and dhamaal as a form of dhikr
- Commercialisation of qawwali; Coke Studio, qawwali concerts, and events
- Difference between qawwali and sufiana kalam
Things/People Mentioned In This Episode
- Intro qawwali: Bahauddin Qutbuddin Qawwal – Khyal Ang Qawwali
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s performance at the 1985 World Music Festival – Allah Hoo
- Shemeem Burney Abbas, The Female Voice in Sufi Ritual
- Regula Qureshi: Sufi Music of India and Pakistan: Sound, Context and Meaning in Qawwali
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Iss Karam Ka Karun
- Reshma – Lal Meri Pat
- Lostwithpurpose post on dhamaal
- Abida Perveen – Balaghal Ula Be Kamaal
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Lajpaal Nabi Mere Dardaan Di Dawa
- Abida Perveen – Tere Ishq Nachaya
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Man Kunto Maula
Further Reading & Resources
Ally Adnan’s Lecture on The History, Art and Practice of Qawwali
Anuradha Bhattacharjee & Shadab Alam, “The Origin and Journey of Qawwali: From Sacred Ritual to Entertainment?” (2012). Journal of Creative Communications.
James R Newell, “Unseen Power: Aesthetic Dimensions of Symbolic Healing in Qawwali.” (2007). The Muslim World.
Scott Kugle, “Qawwali: Between Written Poem and Sung Lyric.” (2007). The Muslim World.
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