Hadiqa Kiani steps into the realm of qawwali with 'Jaanay Iss Dil'

After paying tribute to Diriliş: Ertuğrul in 2020 and making her acting debut earlier this month, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz recipient and celebrated singer Hadiqa Kiani has stepped into the realm of qawwali with her latest track Jaanay Iss Dil, stated a press release.

Released in collaboration with Sufiscore, the qawwali features Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s (NFAK’s) patent tabla player Ustad Dildar Hussain, along with Zohaib Hassan on the sarangi and Irfan Kiani on harmonium.

The qawwali has, in fact, been composed by Ustaad Dildar, who is known for his contribution to the genre around the world. He was an integral part of NFAK’s live performances and studio recordings for over three decades.
But Kiani is no ordinary vocalist either; she's one of Pakistan's most renowned pop stars and can sing in multiple languages.

In the video, the virtuoso can be seen swathed in a regal ensemble by Mohsin Naveed Ranjha, paired with jewellery by Huma Adnan. The video itself has been directed by Abdullah Haris and produced by Mian Yousaf Salahuddin.The latter also shared a BTS video of the track on his Instagram. Herein, Kiani reveals that she has been listening to qawwali since childhood. “It's a genre I can listen to for hours,” she says.

“Qawwali is the purist form of music. I’ve been listening to it since childhood. I can listen to it for hours but I never pursued it during my career. So when I finally got an opportunity to work with Ustad Dildar Hussain, I took it.”

About her experience, she adds, “It was exciting but also a challenge. Yet, it was a dream come true! There was also anxiety because I was trying out a new genre for the first time. I got so much confidence and support from him [Ustad Dildar], it was really a divine experience for me. I feel this will be a treat for my fans.”

Listen to the qawwali here:

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