The History, Art and Practice of Qawwali
VIEW EVENT DETAILSArts and Culture
Evening Seminar and Live Demonstration
Presentation and Demonstration 6:00pm
Close 8:30pm
A special two-night series to celebrate Qawwali, one of the world’s oldest oral traditions that has evolved into being the universal song of love, peace, and brotherhood. The first evening of this special event will consist of an interactive presentation by Ally Adnan on the origin, elements, and practice of Qawwali, followed by a demonstration and a performance by Ghayoor-Moiz-Mustafa Qawwal.
Want to experience more Qawwali? Click here for the second part of this two-night series.
An enthusiastic and indefatigable patron of the arts, Ally Adnan is a well-known writer and speaker on topics of culture, history and the arts. His writings on classical music form a valuable treatise on the theory, culture, and practice of music in India and Pakistan. Ally speaks on culture and the arts on the radio, television, schools and research symposia, all over the world, on a regular basis. Ally’s area of expertise is Qawwali and Sufism. He has conducted extensive research in the two areas and speaks regularly on topics related to Qawwali and Sufism. Considered as an expert on Qawwali, he has conducted seminars, workshops, and symposia on this age-old oral tradition all over the world.
About Qawwali
The form of Qawwali practiced today was invented by Hazrat Amir Khusrao in the 13th century. A poet, scholar, philosopher, politician, and musician, Khusrao defined, documented and established the Khusravi tradition of Qawwali, and trained twelve young men — the Qawwal Bachay — in the theory and practice of Khusravi Qawwali. Miyan Saamat Bin Ibrahim was the leader of this first group of Qawwals. The tradition established by Khusrau has been preserved for more than eight centuries by scions of the Qawwal Bachay and is followed by Qawwals all over the world today.
Ghayoor-Moiz-Mustafa Qawwal are direct descendants of Miyan Saamat Bin Ibrahim and represent the twenty-seventh generation of the original thirteenth-century Qawwals. Masters of music, poetry, and rhythm, heirs to the institution of Khusrao’s music, expert musicians, and the torchbearers of the Khusravi tradition of qawwali, the brothers are considered to be the foremost young qawwals in the world today. They are known for the authenticity of their musical tradition, a huge repertoire of ancient qawwalis, and an extensive knowledge of raag (musical modes) and taal (rhythm). The Qawwali that they perform is the same as the one that was practiced more than eight hundred years ago. Nothing has been allowed to change.
Co-organizer
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