During mid-Oct to mid-Nov, famous Qawwal group will engage Qawwali lovers in California, New York, and other American cities with their soulful voice
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwal, one of the famous Sufi singing groups of Pakistan – will be in the United Sates where nephews of the legendry Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan will engage Qawwali lovers with their soulful voice, the Music Waves International Inc. announced, and confirmed the Qawwali group will perform in seven different cities, including New York and Washington.
Rizwan Ali Khan and Muazzam Ali Khan confirmed their upcoming tour to the United States, and said they will perform in already-planned events during mid-October to mid-November. They said that Qawwali has captivated hearts of millions of the people, as this unique art has gained popularity for decades. Both the brothers improved their craft under the guidance of their father – the late Mujahid Mubarak Ali Khan – and later received mentorship from their uncle – the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Waseem Abbas, organizer and founder of the Music Waves International Inc, told Risala Today that showcasing their rich musical heritage, Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwal have released multiple albums and had stage performances at various festivals since 1998. He said that both the brothers come from a distinguished lineage of Qawwali music that spans over five centuries. Their grandfather, Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan, played a pivotal role in teaching Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan the art of Qawwali.
The brothers are the contemporary leading light of the rich Qawwali tradition, using their extraordinary voices to ‘transfer’ listeners to the ‘spiritual’ dimension. Both the vocalists have developed a devoted audience worldwide following their live shows and acclaimed albums. As per the record, they have performed at festivals and performing arts centers in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand. The Qawwal brothers said they were trying to follow footsteps of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
“We have some of the best Qawwali singers who know the art and also know how to deliver this unique art to the cultured audience. I am happy to say this that both Rizwan Ali Khan and Muazzam Ali Khan are the best Qawwali singers and they are doing a great job with new lyrics and fresh compositions,” Waseem Abbas said, and added his event and artist management company – the Music Waves International Inc – is going to organize series of the Qawwali events in Sacramento, Fremont, and Fresno – the distinct cities in California – as per the schedule.
Other Qawwali shows will also be organized in New York, Washington, New Jersey, and Houston in Texas, the organizer said. “We believe that Qawwali is a different thing as compared to other music formats. Our Qawwali singers have unique singing and presentation skills,” Waseem Abbas said, adding that the US warmly welcomes artists of all kinds, offering them a platform to perform and showcase their talent to a global audience. In Qawwalis, he pointed out devotion and spirituality in nature but very open to the listeners on the type of love they hold in their own heart.
Since Qawwali is spiritual, the meaning communicates even if listeners don’t fully understand lyrics or the art of Qawwali. Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwal continues the family tradition through compositions filled with harmony and full-throated crescendos. The Qawwali singers said that there was an emotion that comes out of each Qawwali. “We want to keep Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legacy alive and also carry it forward into the world for decades to come. We have plenty more life left in us and much more of the beautiful tradition of Qawwali music to sing,” Muazzam Ali Khan said.
“We realized that since we carry the family name and experience, we were the only ones that could reignite that history,” Rizwan Ali Khan said. “We know and we are ready to take our family’s artistic heritage to new heights,” he said. In the United States, the overseas nationals always shower their immense love and appreciation on visiting entertainers. The company asked Qawwali lovers to enjoy nights filled with passion, devotion, and transcendental rhythm from the spiritual poetry to the electrifying energy of live tabla and harmonium.
