The celebration and performance of Sufi music in Canberra may soon become as frequent as performances in the South Asian cities of Delhi, Lahore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Pune and Hyderabad.
In recent years the Pakistan High Commission and the Pakistan Cultural Association have provided Canberra with teasing doses of Sufi music to celebrate occasions of national pride and importance.
There’s more Sufi music on the way to Canberra but before that, to appreciate and enjoy Sufi music it’s important to understand its origins and recent history.
Sufi music has a rich history, originating from the practice of Sufism in the Middle East to its various manifestations on the Indian subcontinent. The work of Sufi poets is passed on from generation to generation and is alive to this day. One of the better-known sub-genres of Sufi music is called qawwali, which has its roots in India and Pakistan. The popularity of qawwali is due in part to its aesthetic appeal. Many musicians that perform this type of Sufi music focus on vocal strength and purity.
Another popular sub-genre is known as kafi. This style is considered classical and is generally culled from the poetic verses of well-known writers. Though kafi is similar to qawwali in the fervor of its delivery, the two forms differ in execution. While qawwali may be made up of a larger ensemble, kafi music usually consists of a few percussion instruments, a keyboard, and a single vocalist.
Sufi communities are found throughout the Muslim world, from South and Central Asia through Turkey, Iran, Kashmir, Pakistan, India, the Levant and northern, eastern and western Africa and also England. With such a vast geographical and cultural spread for Sufism itself, Sufi musical practice is itself very diverse.
Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan and Mahmoud Khan will present Canberra’s own Sufi Night in the Canberra Grammar School’s Tim Murray Theatre on Sunday, March 4th.
Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan is a Pakistani singer-songwriter and musician. Note the honorific title Ustad is given to an expert or highly skilled person, especially a musician. Rafaqat trained as a classical singer and has established himself as a successful artist releasing a total of eleven albums. He is the son of the singer Nazakat Ali Khan.
Mahmood Khan is a Pakistani-born singer, songwriter, sound engineer, music producer, and filmmaker. Originally from Lahore and now an Australian citizen, Khan was the first Pakistani national to achieve mainstream success within the Australian music industry. Earlier in his career, his music attracted the attention of undoubtedly one of the world’s best known Sufi musician, the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He approached Mahmoud in 1997 with a proposal for a collaboration. Despite Khan’s music being considered by some as “ahead of its time” he was the first and remains the only Pakistani artist to perform at the Sydney Opera House where he recorded a live album of the concert. A track from the album, “Like the River” achieved an Australian music charts number one ranking and ARIA recognition.
Mahmood Khan with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Whatever the cities of South Asia khan do, Canberra khan do too!
The Sufi Night with Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan and Mahmoud Khan is a Rana Atif Nisar promotion.
Tickets and programme information can be obtained from Rana Atif (04244 444 452) and Kashif Chemma (0407 061 536).
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Canberra Khan Do
The celebration and performance of Sufi music in Canberra may soon become as frequent as performances in the South Asian cities of Delhi, Lahore, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Pune and Hyderabad.
In recent years the Pakistan High Commission and the Pakistan Cultural Association have provided Canberra with teasing doses of Sufi music to celebrate occasions of national pride and importance.
There’s more Sufi music on the way to Canberra but before that, to appreciate and enjoy Sufi music it’s important to understand its origins and recent history.
Sufi music has a rich history, originating from the practice of Sufism in the Middle East to its various manifestations on the Indian subcontinent. The work of Sufi poets is passed on from generation to generation and is alive to this day. One of the better-known sub-genres of Sufi music is called qawwali, which has its roots in India and Pakistan. The popularity of qawwali is due in part to its aesthetic appeal. Many musicians that perform this type of Sufi music focus on vocal strength and purity.
Another popular sub-genre is known as kafi. This style is considered classical and is generally culled from the poetic verses of well-known writers. Though kafi is similar to qawwali in the fervor of its delivery, the two forms differ in execution. While qawwali may be made up of a larger ensemble, kafi music usually consists of a few percussion instruments, a keyboard, and a single vocalist.
Sufi communities are found throughout the Muslim world, from South and Central Asia through Turkey, Iran, Kashmir, Pakistan, India, the Levant and northern, eastern and western Africa and also England. With such a vast geographical and cultural spread for Sufism itself, Sufi musical practice is itself very diverse.
Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan and Mahmoud Khan will present Canberra’s own Sufi Night in the Canberra Grammar School’s Tim Murray Theatre on Sunday, March 4th.
Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan is a Pakistani singer-songwriter and musician. Note the honorific title Ustad is given to an expert or highly skilled person, especially a musician. Rafaqat trained as a classical singer and has established himself as a successful artist releasing a total of eleven albums. He is the son of the singer Nazakat Ali Khan.
Mahmood Khan is a Pakistani-born singer, songwriter, sound engineer, music producer, and filmmaker. Originally from Lahore and now an Australian citizen, Khan was the first Pakistani national to achieve mainstream success within the Australian music industry. Earlier in his career, his music attracted the attention of undoubtedly one of the world’s best known Sufi musician, the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He approached Mahmoud in 1997 with a proposal for a collaboration. Despite Khan’s music being considered by some as “ahead of its time” he was the first and remains the only Pakistani artist to perform at the Sydney Opera House where he recorded a live album of the concert. A track from the album, “Like the River” achieved an Australian music charts number one ranking and ARIA recognition.
Mahmood Khan with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Whatever the cities of South Asia khan do, Canberra khan do too!
The Sufi Night with Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan and Mahmoud Khan is a Rana Atif Nisar promotion.
Tickets and programme information can be obtained from Rana Atif (04244 444 452) and Kashif Chemma (0407 061 536).
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