Qawwals

Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music from the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally performed at religious shrines and in street gatherings, it expresses devotion to the divine through ecstatic song and rhythmic accompaniment. The genre is closely associated with South Asia's Muslim communities, especially in Pakistan and the Indian states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The style is often linked to the mystic poet-saint Amir Khusrau, though the origins of qawwali are the subject of scholarly debate.

A typical qawwali ensemble, or qawwal group, features a lead vocalist, several supporting vocalists, a chorus, and instrumentalists playing harmonium and percussion such as tabla or dholak; clapping and rhythmic ostinatos drive the tempo. Performances unfold through call-and-response exchanges, with the lead singer improvising elaborate melodic lines before the chorus intensifies to a climactic finish. The songs are usually long, building in intensity.

Lyrics are primarily in Urdu, Punjabi, or Sindhi, often incorporating Persian or Arabic phrases. Themes are devotional, focusing on God, the Prophet Muhammad, and Sufi saints and their mystical love.

Historical development: roots in medieval Sufi practice; Amir Khusrau popularized early forms in the Delhi Sultanate era; later certain families and groups—most visibly the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Sabri Brothers—brought qawwali to international audiences in the late 20th century. Today qawwali is performed in religious venues and in secular concerts worldwide, with a wide range of styles varying by region and troupe.