Music of South Asia: Qawwali Sufi music of Pakistan

Pakistan: Islamic Republic, northwest of India; 100 million pop.

Comparison of Sufism in West Asia and South Asia:

Sufism in West Asia (Middle East)

Sufism exists outside the mainstream of society.

Sufism exists mostly in small, exclusive sects (“brotherhoods”).

Ceremonies small; music limited to chanting and drumming.

Sufism in South Asia (Pakistan)

Sufism is a popular movement; converting Hindus to Islam.

Shrines to Sufi saints are popular places of worship.

Ceremonies can be on the scale of large concerts.

Sufi music (qawwali) has popular appeal.

Qawwali: Sufi devotional music of Pakistan

Sufi poetry brought from Persia into South Asia.

Music based on classical and folk music of South Asia:

Rag modal system of improvisation.

Tal time cycles

Musical structure similar to Indian classical music:

free meter opening section;

tal rhythm is introduced along with pre-composed song;

improvisation (based on rag) builds to ecstatic climax.

Many Pakistani shrines have a group of associated musicians:

Spiritual leader (sheikh) directs rituals;

Musical groups have a main singer/musical leader (mohri).

Sama (literally “listening”) – Sufi ceremony involving music

Listening to the praises of God through sung poetry

(love poetry used as a metaphor for the love of God).

Singing style is clear so that poetry is understood.

Interaction between singer and audience:

phrases and words repeated through improvisation

performer watches audience to judge ecstatic reaction

performers receive payment for inducing ecstatic trance

CD Example 22. Tori surat ke balhari

CD Example 23. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Shamas-ud-doha, Badar-ud-doja