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Qawwali
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Genre
Qawwali is the devotional singing of the Sufis in South Asia, performed at the tombs of saints. The tradition goes back to the poet Amir Khusrau, a disciple of the Sufi master Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi around 1300. One or two lead singers improvise, a chorus repeats their lines and claps its hands, harmonium and tabla accompany, and the tempo rises towards ecstasy. From 1985, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan of Pakistan brought qawwali to Western stages, beginning at the WOMAD festival.
Listening
Listening tip. In Allah-hoo, hear how the Sabri Brothers repeat a single word endlessly and how the handclaps of the chorus give the rhythm ever more force.
Allah-hoo, Allah-hoo · Sabri Brothers & Ensemble, 1978
Kali Kali Zulfon Ke Phande Nah Dalo · Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, 1988
Aaj Rang Hai · Sabri Brothers, 1987
See also
Categories: Genres