City to host first International Qawwali Festival in 2016

The national capital is all geared up to host the first International Qawwali Festival for singers from across the world. The festival is scheduled to be held on February 12-14 here.

“The world of music is completely different. For us, being a Hindu or a Muslim, Jain or Christian, is immaterial. When we get together, we meet like we are brothers, like we are family,” says Ghulam Sabir Nizami of Delhi’s “Nizami Brothers”.

Hailing from the Sikandrabad Gharana, the Nizami Brothers are among the most popular qawwali singers in Astana Gayki, as well as modern qawwali tradition.

While throwing light on qawwali as a genre of music with its distinct character for worship and spiritual advancement, the event is also set to showcase the evolution that qawwali has undergone with artistes performing a fusion of old genre of music with a modern touch.

For Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawwal and Brothers, India is a land where love surpasses hatred by multiple times.

“Despite what (‘growing intolerance’) has been happening in India for the last 10-15 days, Fareed Ayaz is present in Delhi. I know that in Delhi and in India there are many who love me. When I have hundreds who love me, why should I be scared of a few violent elements. In fact, I will try to teach those few the language of love too.”

“Music is the language of love and it is not even remotely associated with any form of hatred or violence, and it is through qawwali that we are trying to spread love and peace,” says Ayaz.

Other qawwali singers who will be a part of the event include Warsi Brothers from Hyderabad, Hamza Akram and Taimoor Akram from Pakistan, Tahir Hussain Faridi Qawwal from the US and Ahmed Sham Sufi Qawwal from Afghanistan.

Honed in the prestigious Delhi School of Music, these artistes from across the border have been weaving magic with their words and music for over 30 years now. Besides qawwali and sufi music, they also excel in classical genres like Tarana, Thumri and Khayal.