Qawwali is a centuries-old devotional art form that blends poetry, music and spiritual expression into a powerful collective experience. Rooted in the Sufi traditions of the Indian subcontinent, it uses rhythmic clapping, soaring vocals and repetitive melodic patterns to evoke a state of wajd, a heightened spiritual ecstasy. Traditionally performed at dargahs, qawwali serves as both worship and storytelling, carrying verses of saints, poets and mystics such as Amir Khusrau. Its call-and-response structure, harmonium-led arrangements and richly layered improvisations demand rigorous training, yet its appeal lies in its emotional accessibility. Over time, qawwali has travelled from shrines to global stages, retaining its devotional core while adapting to contemporary audiences.India’s renowned artists known for their qawwali, the Warsi Brothers- Naseer Ahmed Khan Warsi and Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi- have been named among the winners of the Aga Khan Music Awards 2025, an international recognition that celebrates music artists who sustain and evolve musical traditions shaped by Islam.The awards, held from 20–23 November at London’s Southbank Centre as part of a four-day festival presented with the EFG London Jazz Festival, honoured artists chosen from an initial pool of more than 400 nominees. A seven-member international Master Jury comprising noted performers, producers and scholars selected this year’s laureates.
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The Warsi Brothers are widely regarded as among the finest living custodians of traditional qawwali in the subcontinent. Descendants of the 14th-century lineage of Amir Khusrau and trained under their grandfather Padma Shri Aziz Ahmad Khan Warsi, they represent the classical rigour and devotional depth of the Delhi Gharana. Based in Hyderabad, their family has long served as court musicians for the erstwhile Nizam and continues to perform at shrines while taking Khusrau’s repertoire to contemporary stages in India and abroad.In its citation, the jury recognised the duo for the “energetic preservation and onward transmission of the spiritual and musical legacy of Amir Khusrau to multigenerational audiences at the highest level of musical excellence.” Since the 1990s, the Warsis have performed at major festivals worldwide. The family hopes to expand its archival and teaching initiatives to document its extensive repertoire and mentor younger qawwals, ensuring the continuity of a 700-year-old tradition.The Aga Khan Music Awards, established by the Aga Khan Music Programme in 2000, aim to support artists working within diverse Islamic musical cultures and to promote values of pluralism, intercultural dialogue and community resilience. Award recipients gain access to professional development opportunities including new commissions, recordings, management support and preservation initiatives.Speaking about the awards, His Highness the Aga Khan said they reflect a long-standing belief in music’s ability to bridge cultures and uplift the human spirit. Fairouz Nishanova, Director of the Aga Khan Music Programme, added that music remains central to human experience and a powerful connector of communities.The 2025 edition of the Awards formed part of the broader programme of the EFG London Jazz Festival, now in its 33rd year, which brings global musicians together for 10 days of cross-cultural performances.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source timesofindia.indiatimes.com ’
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