The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) organised a ‘Qawwali night’ (Mehfil-e-Samaa) to mark the sacred month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. The event featured renowned and up coming qawwali singers from across the country who offered a veritable bonanza for the qawwali lovers of the twin cities. Five qawwali performers entertained the audience with their unique expressions, providing audiences a taste of the soul-soothing music.
Shimoon Hashmi and Hassan Abbas Raza were the presenters at the event.
Kashif Nazir, Sikandar Miandad, Naeem Hassan and Mubashir Hussain, Arif Feroz Qadri Noshahi (from Gujranwala) and Ghulam Abbas Khan (from Faisalabad) presented melodious renditions of qawwali in various raags and compositions mixing the Urdu, Persian and Punjabi versions of the spiritual poetry. The performances spellbound the audience that comprised of people of all ages and genders from youngsters to the elderly. The attendees were swayed by the qawwals’ recitals and their traditional musical instruments. The event started off with a mesmerising violin performance by Kashif Nazir who presented ‘Ne Mein Jana Jogi De Naal’.
Sikandar Miandad performed next along with his party members, starting with ‘Allah hi Allah’ followed by ‘Jashn-e-Amad-e-Rasul, Allah hi Allah’. Miandad gave a powerful rendition of the compositions, especially when he reached the climax of the Punjabi kalam ‘Ali dy diwaneyan ne chup nahi o rehna’ mixing it with the ‘Nach Malanga’.
Naeem Hassan and Mubashir Hussain from the Gwalior Gharana sung traditional compositions and were accompanied by seven members of their party. They presented their famous numbers ‘Apna aap pehchaan o bandia’, Wajh Ullah dis da ay’ and ‘Jhoolay Lal’. Their percussion was perfect; the chorus was inspiring and at times, electric.
The resonating voice of Arif Feroz Qadri Noshahi, stole the night with the Punjabi spiritual compositions, ‘Mein Arbi Mahiay Di’ and ‘Khubsurti Jag Di Ikathi Kar Lo- Nabi Pak Di Juti Da Mul Wi Nahi’. Noshahi, known for his qawwali renditions at the Data Darbar, Lahore, also presented Hazrat Sultan Bahu’s ‘Dil Kalay Nalo, Moonh Kala Changa- Jay Koi Us Noo Jaane Hoo’.
He sang with 11 team members and concluded his performance by creating a trance-like ambience steeped in spirituality with ‘Faqeer Ban De Ali De Dar To’.
The spiritual event concluded with the performance of noted qawwal Ghulam Abbas Khan. A disciple of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abbas produced variations in his voice that reminded of his mentor Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Abbas presented ‘Mekaday sy jo mein nikla, to haram tak pohncha’, Tere karam ne nawaza, khayal se pehle’ and Baba Hakim Ali Hakim’s composition from his upcoming volume ‘Jado da tu ain mukh moria- Moonh pheir gae ne saary’.
He concluded the night with Amir Khusro’s ‘Rang’ to a standing ovation.
Talking with Pakistan Today, PNCA Director General Tauqir Nasir said qawwali was a traditional form of music in which a qawwal closely linked his inspirations to his spirituality.
Nasir said: “Qawwali was linked to the Sufi traditions and the verses reflect a mystical school of Islamic thought, which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience.
“Qawwali follows a very specific psychological process in which the words are sung, quite repeatedly with variations intended to bring out deeper means of the lyrics.”
He stated that PNCA was striving to promote art and culture. He added that the PNCA would continue to invite the qawwals to future events and celebrate 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal with enthusiasm.
