An attempt to revive qawwali

For the music lovers in Dwarka, who somehow fail to enjoy musical programmes especially the qawwali, owing to the long distance between central part of the city where majority of these programmes are being conducted, were pleased to attend one such event organised in their area.

Thanks to the Sufi Kathak Foundation (SKF) who recently hosted ‘Ras Rang’, a qawwali night. It was an extension of the ‘Understanding Qawwali’ which was recently held at India International Centre where the audience were given a treat of mesmerising qawwali performance by traditional qawwals like Janab Wajahat Hussain Badayuni  and Janab Rizwan Muazzam. 

‘Ras Rang’  was  organised by Majari Charurvedi, president SKF at  Bhartiya Nirmal School, especially for the audiences of Dwarka. The two qawwals, Haider Baksh from Lucknow and Haji Mohammed Ahmed Khan Warsi from Rampur took the audience on musical journey by giving the best of the spiritual songs on Allah, the Almighty.

The qawwali show, which started late in the evening was followed by a welcome note by Manjari. The show kick started with Haider Buksh’s  Sufiana kalaam Maula Ali which narrates the glory of the omnipotent and omnipresent god, the greatness of Prophet Mohammad and the need to surrender before the god. The qawwal troupe from Lucknow mesmerised the audience with Hazrat Amin Khusarau’s compositions Chhap Tilak Sab chhene mause naina milae ke and Ae re sakhi more piya ghar aaye.

The musical performance was followed by Haji Mohammed Ahmed Khan Warsi’s qawwalis. The troupe from Rampur started their performance with Allah ho, bahut kathin hai dagar, kahe ko byahi pardes, mohe laaj lage mohe pe ki nazaariya maar gayi.  The musical night turned the ambience to Sufiana and left the audience spell bound. Undoubtedly, every word of the qawwali by the traditional musicians who sing at dargah in praise of Allah stirred the soul of the audience during the concert.

“The concert was the part of our Ibadat series where we try to make our youth aware about the true Sufi music,” says Majari, who herself is a renowned Sufi Kathak dancer.  “Today, it is important to highlight traditional qawwals from all across the globe because everyone does not go to dargah to enjoy their music. Secondly, it is becoming tough for the qawwals to pass their traditional wealth of singing to their kids because of financial instability. Youth are no longer keen to follow their tradition and are ready to work as driver sor servants,” says Majari, pointing out how qawwali is gradually losing its sheen in present situation.