Latest news with #Qawwals
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
No aid, no justice: Qawwal group to stage sit-in
Overwhelmed by sorrow, Qawwal Majid Ali Sabri breaks down at the funeral of his brother, nephew, and a fellow troupe member, while PPP's Saeed Ghani, Governor Kamran Tessori of MQM-P, and PTI's Haleem Adil Sheikh stand united in condolence. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS Qawwal Majid Ali Sabri has announced a protest and symbolic sit-in outside the Karachi Press Club on Friday, accompanied by musical instruments and fellow musicians, in response to the federal and provincial governments' failure to announce any form of compensation - more than a week after the Kalat tragedy. Majid Ali Sabri, of the renowned Sabri Qawwal family, stated that certificates received from performances in Qawwali gatherings cannot eradicate hunger and poverty. His group, which lost members in the Kalat incident, has warned of a peaceful demonstration after Friday prayers, where they will gather outside the Karachi Press Club with their instruments to express their outrage through silence. The protest is in response to the absence of any financial assistance or official statements acknowledging the loss of three lives and the injury of five others, one of whom remains in critical condition in hospital. In an interview with The Express Tribune, Sabri emphasised that unless immediate aid and compensation are announced, they will place their tabla, harmonium, and dholak on the ground in a silent sit-in to "shake the conscience of those in power." Sabri expressed frustration over repeated appeals to government officials that have resulted only in sympathy and hollow assurances. "No practical steps have been taken, and no meaningful response has come for the families who lost everything," he said. "There is deep sorrow and even deeper hunger in the homes of the victims." He described the homes of the deceased Qawwals as filled not just with grief, but with the cries of hungry children, saying families are struggling for basic necessities like food and milk. "Performance certificates cannot fill stomachs," he said. "They are not enough to address this suffering." Sabri stressed that the group is not demanding govt stipends, but rather justice — which, he said, is the right of every citizen affected by terrorism. "We have brought honour to this country through our art," he said. "Now it is the government's responsibility to answer our call." He also voiced disappointment at the silence of prominent cultural and literary institutions, which have not stepped forward to support the grieving families or demand justice on their behalf.
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kalat ambush
Listen to article The killing of three musicians, including two Qawwals belonging to the renowned Sabir family, in an ambush on the outskirts of Kalat is highly disgusting. If the renowned singers from Karachi were targeted deliberately as they were on their way to perform in Quetta, then it is even more condemnable and hints at the sense of otherness that is fast creeping in society. The attack has left at least 13 injured, and seems to be a follow-up of a similar bloodbath in Zhob a few days ago. The fact that National Highway arteries are not safe in the restive province of Balochistan is a grim reminder that quick-fix measures taken by the authorities after gun-runners are not up to mark, warranting something serious in the kinetic realm, including securing all the passenger buses with armed guards to ward of any eventuality. This tendency of taking passengers out of buses, profiling them and killing them is a terror tactic meant for showcasing that non-state actors can operate unchecked. This time around all the victims were from Karachi, and might mark a new angle in ethnic terrorism. As military authorities in the last few weeks have cracked down hard on Indian agents operating in disguise, the backlash is understandable. The possession of automatic weapons and the coordination that these outfits have exhibited is a source of concern, and necessitates a solution that is logical and addresses both political and security dimensions. The terror fissures are now toiling national cohesion, calling for a coordinated response. It seems the government's offer to engage with the militants on their genuine grievances is not on a proper wavelength. That means some out-of-the-box gestures are desired to ensure that the radicals, especially those who are interested in working under the ambit of law and the Constitution, are motivated with state-centric guarantees to give up terror and become part and parcel of civil society. It is a gigantic task that must be backed with prompt military manning so that security does not go up for a toss.
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
A spiritual experience
The historic Dargah Shah Khamosh in Nampally, Hyderabad, transformed into a vibrant confluence of devotion, music, and timeless architecture as it hosted its annual Urs fair. Dedicated to Hazrat Shah Khamosh, also known as Syed Moinuddin Hussaini, the spiritual successor of Baba Farid, the three-day event marked a rich tradition that dates back to around 1871, when the revered Sufi saint was laid to rest here. The presence of the sacred 'Bahishti Darwaza' — the Gate of Paradise brought from the tomb of Baba Farid in Pakpattan, Pakistan — adds to the spiritual magnitude of the site. Renowned Qawwals including the iconic Warsi Brothers and Ateeq Hussain Bandanawazi enthralled the audience with soul-stirring renditions. What made the event truly memorable was the respectful silence maintained by attendees, who listened in rapt attention amidst an awe-inspiring setting adorned with European chandeliers and classic Grandfather clocks. The Dargah's unique blend of Islamic and Gothic architecture, which earned it the INTACH heritage award in 2007, served as a majestic backdrop to the performances. 'This is not just about music; it's about unity, peace, and the divine,' shared Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini of the Dargah. 'Music brings together people from across any religion, caste, or creed. It's a moment to have a spiritual connection with the Almighty and bring in peace for the mind and soul.' The Urs fair continues to be a testament to the inclusive and mystical traditions of Sufism — where faith transcends boundaries and melody becomes a medium of spiritual elevation.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Soulful music to connect with the Sufism core
As the torchbearers of the classical Qawwali legacy bequeathed by Amir Khusro, the 13th century Sufi poet-musician, the Warsi Brothers embellished the finale of Adishakti's 11th Remembering Veenapani Festival, with a concert for the ages as they rendered several gems from their repertoire. For close to two hours, the Hyderabad-based duo of Naseer and Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi, never looking like they were playing for the first time in these parts. Accompanied by a large ensemble of instrumentalists and backing vocalists, the Qawwals of the Delhi gharana quickly struck a rapport with the audience — each appeared to pick cues of the other, like old friends at a reunion. Mentored in Sufi music by their grandfather, Padma Shri Aziz Ahmad Khan Warsi, these Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees are custodians of the Khayali gharana of Delhi, and sustain an unbroken lineage as descendants of disciples trained by Amir Khusro, mystic poet and founder of traditional Qawwali, inventor of the sitar and creator of the tarana. Divya Bhatia, curator of the Jodhpur RIFF while presenting the brothers, noted that the Delhi gharana, that has curated over centuries a gayaki that blends poetry, music, and mysticism, is the only musical lineage to accept Qawwali (derived from the Qual, or prophet utterance), as a legitimate art form. The duo opened with 'Aley Nabi', a Qawwali-na'at by Amir Khusro, and soon the audience has sprung into the act, synchronising their hand-clapping with the rhythm kept by the accompanists. Whether it was the exhilaratingly-paced 'Meri Piya Ghar Aaya' (a kalam by the Sufi saint Bulleh Shah) or the gently flowing melody of 'Sanson Ki Mala Pe Simron Mein' (On the rosary of breath), the brothers essayed variations of particular phrases, or repeated lines to emphasise the spiritual essence or depth of emotion, ranging from unbridled joy and infinite grace to the sense of fulfilment, in associating with the divine. As the pace of the 'radif' (refrain) of 'Allah Ho Allah Ho' spirals, the senior Warsi, Naseer Ahmed Khan, raises his left index finger and lets out a cry from the depths of his soul, eliciting instant appreciation from the audience. And, lest the melody distract from the import of the lyrics in kalams like 'Yeh jo halka halka suroor hai' (that speaks of intoxication of love and desire, and in the same breath implores forgivance), the senior Warsi, would pause to restate a line, resort to gesticulations and engage in a back-and-forth with the audience, to add emphasis to the lofty idea. The concert also featured infectious Qawwalis such as 'Kaali Kaali Zulfon' and 'Ye Shan Tumhari Hai Aaqa'. As the ensemble of support singers, sometimes interjecting a stream of sargam, added a hymnal aura and depth to the renditions, they were joined by a hundred voices from the crowd who formed a mass choir. One will never figure out how the enthusiasts managed to bend the laws of physics, with an already over-saturated venue turned into a dance floor, as the last couple of rollicking Qawwalis are rolled out. By now, a human wall has entirely blocked the view of the stage. Amid the wild cheers and thundering applause, one barely hears Adishakti's Artistic Director Vinay Kumar offer the customary courtesies, and remarking how the concert perfectly reflected Veenapani Chawla's vision of a vibrant community art space. The finale, in a sense, also closed the loop of the 11th edition of the free-entry festival, that had begun with an evening of Sufi music by the protegee of the Warsi Brothers, Smita Bellur, in collaboration with SAZ, a trio of Rajasthani folk musicians.
