13/01/2022
“Since the first moment I heard Qawwali 25yrs ago I’ve been completely obsessed and in love and with it.
The reasons are many…
Yet one unique element of this tradition which moves me is how an ensemble of about 10 men sing together as one.
A truly powerful expression of unity, community & cooperation; wherein the collective devotion of many is amplify as one.
Over the past 25yrs of fervent study with the greatest Qawwali singers of Pakistan, my love for this art continues to grow.
Though in all these years of fervent research and learning, I have never once seen women offering this music as an ensemble.
There are certainly some remarkable female Sufi singers from Zahida Parveen to Abida Parveen, yet why not a complete group in doaba Qawwali formation?
So i’ve imagined how it would be to hear the beautiful poetry of the Sufis expressed through the feminine voice in full formation, knowing all too well that initially there would be many who oppose it. Not because there is any valid reason that women singing sacred music is haram or looked down upon, but because it’s outside of the way the tradition has developed for nearly a millennium.
Now, 1.5yrs into the experiment of creating the Ilahi Qawwali ensemble with my partner Alexandra Stern, it’s truly awe inspiring to hear women sing in this way. And not just any women singing like this, but an exceptionally diverse group at that.
Though practicing long hours each week, we’re still in the early phases of learning together, so for now please excuse the mistakes as we continue to grow as a community and find our unique way to carry Qawwali forward into a modern era of cultural diversity and gender equality.
This beautiful kalam in praise of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was composed by my dear teacher Ustad Muazzam Ali Khan."
- Tahir Qawwal
