LAHORE: Interculture Progressive Organizations (IPO) is fully actives in the Netherlands, which is promoting culture activities such like Film, Theater, and Music. Last time music performance arranged by IPO in The Hague along with present Sabri Brothers, companions as well as Sufi Qawwali Music
Sabri Brothers: Intercultural Progressive Organization is such an organization which has been very active since1998 in promoting culture activities generally in Netherlands. Mr. Saeed who is the founder and chairman of the IPO have conducted a traditional Qawwali function with our six 6 other companions. In my opinion, IPO activities always bring understanding, harmony and sentiments of love between different cultures, races, civilizations and people. These cultural activities are great source of entertainment for the immigrants who are detached to their homelands and cultures and whenever they get an opportunity to feel the taste of their culture in foreign lands, it refreshes them spiritually.
The Hague
Qureshi: Is the word qawwali is unknown to European audience?Sabri Brothers; Yes the word qawwali may be unknown to European people but it is very popular spiritual music in sub-continent people. In fact the word qawwali is derived from the Arabic word Qaol which means “axiom” or “dictum”. A Qawwal is one who sings qawwali, The Qawwali is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of northern India and Pakistan. Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music popular in South Asia. The style is rare, though not entirely absent. it’s a vibrant musical tradition that stretches back more than 700 years. Often listeners, and even artists themselves are transported to a state of wajad, a trance-like state where they feel at one with God, generally considered to be the height of spiritual ecstasy in Sufism, and the ultimate goal of the practice. Originally performed mainly at Sufi shrines or digraphs throughout South Asia, it has also gained main stream popularity. Qawwali music received international exposure through the work of the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, largely due to several releases on the Real World label, followed by live appearances at WOMAD festivals. Other famous Qawwali singers include Pakistan’s Sabri Brothers. Although famous throughout the world, its hub remains the Punjab province of Pakistan from where it gained entry into the mainstream commercial music industry and international fame.
Qureshi
: Riaz Ali Ijaz Ali Sabri you just have arrived after performing Qawwali festival in Holland arranged by Intercultural Progressive Organization (IPO). What do you want to say about IPO?Sabri Brothers: Intercultural Progressive Organization is such an organization which has been very active since
Qureshi: you have done a marvelous qawwali performance. Who was guest of the show and audience?
Sabri Brothers; We were total 8 artist companions It was very busy day for us I remember it. The Qawwali show was opened by the Pakistani Welfare Organization in Den Haag on Sunday 7 March 2010 Theater De Regentes Weimarstraat in Den Haag.
Our audience was Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Iranian and Turkish, Suriname, South American. and other nation’s audience with other thousands of people.
Qureshi: Is the word qawwali is unknown to European audience?Sabri Brothers; Yes the word qawwali may be unknown to European people but it is very popular spiritual music in sub-continent people. In fact the word qawwali is derived from the Arabic word Qaol which means “axiom” or “dictum”. A Qawwal is one who sings qawwali, The Qawwali is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of northern India and Pakistan. Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music popular in South Asia. The style is rare, though not entirely absent. it’s a vibrant musical tradition that stretches back more than 700 years. Often listeners, and even artists themselves are transported to a state of wajad, a trance-like state where they feel at one with God, generally considered to be the height of spiritual ecstasy in Sufism, and the ultimate goal of the practice. Originally performed mainly at Sufi shrines or digraphs throughout South Asia, it has also gained main stream popularity. Qawwali music received international exposure through the work of the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, largely due to several releases on the Real World label, followed by live appearances at WOMAD festivals. Other famous Qawwali singers include Pakistan’s Sabri Brothers. Although famous throughout the world, its hub remains the Punjab province of Pakistan from where it gained entry into the mainstream commercial music industry and international fame.
Qureshi: The qawwali inextricably is linked to the Sufi tradition. Can you explain us?
Sabri Brothers: Yes, I do agree that qawwali is inextricably linked to the Sufi tradition; Sufism is mystical feelings of Islamic thought which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience. In Arabic, this mysticism is known as tasawwuf. However, The Sufi believes that it is possible to reach God during ones life, to reach there end there are a number of different techniques and methods. The qawwali may be viewed as an extension of the vocal form of this remembrance. The use of music as a spiritual force was discussed in great length by Al-Gazali. There is a very specific psychological process which a qawwali follows starts with the singing of the song. In this psychological state the song is received in a manner that is not unlike standard forms of musical expression. The words are sung, quite repeatedly with variations intended to bring out deeper means of the lyrics. After a while there is a repetition to the extent that the words cease to have a meaning. It is the goal here to lead the listener and performer alike into a trance (haal). In the ideal situation the participant is moved to a state of spiritual enlightenment (fana).
Sabri Brothers: Yes, I do agree that qawwali is inextricably linked to the Sufi tradition; Sufism is mystical feelings of Islamic thought which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience. In Arabic, this mysticism is known as tasawwuf. However, The Sufi believes that it is possible to reach God during ones life, to reach there end there are a number of different techniques and methods. The qawwali may be viewed as an extension of the vocal form of this remembrance. The use of music as a spiritual force was discussed in great length by Al-Gazali. There is a very specific psychological process which a qawwali follows starts with the singing of the song. In this psychological state the song is received in a manner that is not unlike standard forms of musical expression. The words are sung, quite repeatedly with variations intended to bring out deeper means of the lyrics. After a while there is a repetition to the extent that the words cease to have a meaning. It is the goal here to lead the listener and performer alike into a trance (haal). In the ideal situation the participant is moved to a state of spiritual enlightenment (fana).
Qureshi: Are the roots of Qawwali can be traced back to 8th century Persia or during the first major migration from Persia?
Sabri Brothers!: Certainly you can find, in the 11th century, the musical tradition of Sema migrated to the South Asia. The roots of Qawwali can be traced back to 8th century Persia (today’s Iran and Afghanistan). During the first major migration from Persia, in the 11th century, the musical tradition of Sema migrated to the South Asia, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Amir Khusro Dehelvi of the Chisti order of Sufis is credited with fusing the Persian and Indian musical traditions to create Qawwali as we know it today in the late 13th century in India (Hindustani classical music is also attributed to him). The word Sema is often still used in Central Asia and Turkey to refer to forms very similar to Qawwali, and in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the formal name used for a session of Qawwali is Mehfil-e-Sama. The central themes of qawwali are love, devotion and longing (of man for the Divine). The re are two extended metaphors that run through ghazals — the joys of drinking and the agony of separation from the beloved.
Sabri Brothers!: Certainly you can find, in the 11th century, the musical tradition of Sema migrated to the South Asia. The roots of Qawwali can be traced back to 8th century Persia (today’s Iran and Afghanistan). During the first major migration from Persia, in the 11th century, the musical tradition of Sema migrated to the South Asia, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Amir Khusro Dehelvi of the Chisti order of Sufis is credited with fusing the Persian and Indian musical traditions to create Qawwali as we know it today in the late 13th century in India (Hindustani classical music is also attributed to him). The word Sema is often still used in Central Asia and Turkey to refer to forms very similar to Qawwali, and in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the formal name used for a session of Qawwali is Mehfil-e-Sama. The central themes of qawwali are love, devotion and longing (of man for the Divine). The re are two extended metaphors that run through ghazals — the joys of drinking and the agony of separation from the beloved.
Qureshi: Is a group of qawwali musicians, can be called a Humnawa in Urdu or in English a party?
Sabri Brothers! A group of qawwali musicians, called a party (or Humnawa in Urdu), typically consists of eight or nine men including a lead singer, one or two side singers, one or two harmoniums (which may be played by the lead singer, side singer or someone else), and percussion. If there is only one percussionist, he plays the tabla and dholak, usually the tabla with the dominant hand and the dholak with the other one (i.e. a left-handed percussionist would play the tabla with his left hand). Often there will be two percussionists; in that case one might play the tabla and the other the dholak. There is also a chorus of four or five men who repeat key verses, and who aid and abet percussion by hand-clapping. The performers sit cross-legged on the ground in two rows — the lead singer, side singers and harmonium players in the front row, and the chorus and percussionists in the back row.
Sabri Brothers! A group of qawwali musicians, called a party (or Humnawa in Urdu), typically consists of eight or nine men including a lead singer, one or two side singers, one or two harmoniums (which may be played by the lead singer, side singer or someone else), and percussion. If there is only one percussionist, he plays the tabla and dholak, usually the tabla with the dominant hand and the dholak with the other one (i.e. a left-handed percussionist would play the tabla with his left hand). Often there will be two percussionists; in that case one might play the tabla and the other the dholak. There is also a chorus of four or five men who repeat key verses, and who aid and abet percussion by hand-clapping. The performers sit cross-legged on the ground in two rows — the lead singer, side singers and harmonium players in the front row, and the chorus and percussionists in the back row.
Qureshi: How long Qawwali Songs usually takes time?
Sabri Brothers! Songs are usually between 15 to 30 minutes long. However, the longest commercially released qawwali runs slightly over 115 minutes .Qawwali tend to begin gently and build steadily to a very high energy level in order to induce hypnotic states both among the musicians and within the audience. Songs are usually arranged as follows. There comes the clap as the main song begins, the tabla, dholak and clapping begins. All members join in the singing of the verses.
Sabri Brothers! Songs are usually between 15 to 30 minutes long. However, the longest commercially released qawwali runs slightly over 115 minutes .Qawwali tend to begin gently and build steadily to a very high energy level in order to induce hypnotic states both among the musicians and within the audience. Songs are usually arranged as follows. There comes the clap as the main song begins, the tabla, dholak and clapping begins. All members join in the singing of the verses.
Qureshi: Is Qawwali belong to also Hindu or only Muslim religion?
Sabri Brothers! Nizamuddin Auliya was, and still is, a source of inspiration for countless people. Even today there is an annual gathering at his tomb. One man who was inspired by the Hazrat Nizamuddin was Amir Khusru. Amir Khusru is so important to the development of qawwali that he is often (erroneously) said to be the inventor of it. It is said that he mixed the various musical elements from Turkey, greater Persia and India together. Even today, we find the curious mixture of Persian moqquams with Indian rags.The development of the qawwali up to the latter part of the Mughal Empire closely parallels the development of the Hindu religious song known as bhajan. We find parallels in musical form and social settings. The degree of cross influence is so great that some musician / saints such as Kabir are to this day revered by Hindus and Muslims alike.
Sabri Brothers! Nizamuddin Auliya was, and still is, a source of inspiration for countless people. Even today there is an annual gathering at his tomb. One man who was inspired by the Hazrat Nizamuddin was Amir Khusru. Amir Khusru is so important to the development of qawwali that he is often (erroneously) said to be the inventor of it. It is said that he mixed the various musical elements from Turkey, greater Persia and India together. Even today, we find the curious mixture of Persian moqquams with Indian rags.The development of the qawwali up to the latter part of the Mughal Empire closely parallels the development of the Hindu religious song known as bhajan. We find parallels in musical form and social settings. The degree of cross influence is so great that some musician / saints such as Kabir are to this day revered by Hindus and Muslims alike.
Qureshi: Is Nusrat Fatheh Ali khan fusion of traditional Indo-Pakistani influences with Western music in the music world. Do you agree or disagree and can you use Qawwali shoe in commercial international market.
Sabri Brothers! The secularization of the qawwali is an interesting phenomenon. One can see that the seeds of its secularization are inherent in the qawwali itself. However, the modern secular qawwali tends to strip the themes of their metaphorical and allegorical character thus producing a shallow; The secularization of the qawwali is an interesting phenomenon. One can see that the seeds of its secularization are inherent in the qawwali itself. However, the modern secular qawwali tends to strip the themes of their metaphorical and allegorical character thus producing a shallow, yet commercially marketable entity. Recent years have seen the qawwali thrust into the international arena by such musicians as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His fusion of traditional Indo-Pakistani influences with Western music has created quite a stir in the music world and I do agree with him!
Sabri Brothers! The secularization of the qawwali is an interesting phenomenon. One can see that the seeds of its secularization are inherent in the qawwali itself. However, the modern secular qawwali tends to strip the themes of their metaphorical and allegorical character thus producing a shallow; The secularization of the qawwali is an interesting phenomenon. One can see that the seeds of its secularization are inherent in the qawwali itself. However, the modern secular qawwali tends to strip the themes of their metaphorical and allegorical character thus producing a shallow, yet commercially marketable entity. Recent years have seen the qawwali thrust into the international arena by such musicians as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His fusion of traditional Indo-Pakistani influences with Western music has created quite a stir in the music world and I do agree with him!
Qureshi: Do IPO organizing more shows again in Holland?
Sabri Brothers: Yes,
Soon we are going to perform in again Honllad , Germany, belgium and france,
Qureshi: Do you have any important message for the Dutch community?
Sabri Brothers: I would like to thanks to Rabin Baldewsingh deputy mayor of the municipality of The Hague, “
and his party (PVDA ) and Gemeente OCW Den Haag.
We will thanks to Pakistan welfare organization in The hauge,
Mr Zaib Khan – Lala Feroz khan, Ch. Yousif Merza, Shaib Akmal, Kwawaja Khurshed, Ch Khalid,Arif khan.
And all other sofi Dutch people who sport us and offcours to all members of IPO Interculture progressive organization.
I will also appreciate and thanks to space time they make the time for this interview.