Peers and proteges hail AKMA honour for Saami

'Khayal' maestro dedicates award to all who carry forward this art with devotion

KARACHI:

Messages of admiration and gratitude poured in from colleagues, students, and admirers across the world as Pakistan's legendary classical vocalist, Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami, was named one of the recipients of the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards.

The master of 'Khayal' was selected for the Patron's Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to preserving the spiritual legacy of Amir Khusrau through his 49-note microtonal system and timeless devotion to the art.

The Aga Khan Music Programme announced the 11 honourees in Geneva, revealing that the ceremony would take place later this month in London's Southbank Centre, in partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Ustaad Saami will receive the award alongside his four sons — Ustaad Rauf, Ustaad Urooj, Ahmed, and Azeem Saami — who together perform as 'The Saami Brothers'.

The family was jointly recognised with India's Warsi Brothers for sustaining South Asia's enduring 'Khayal' and Qawwali traditions, tracing their lineage back nearly 800 years to the great Amir Khusrau.

"'Khayal' is not merely performance — it is prayer through breath," said Ustaad Saami, reflecting on the honour. "For centuries, my family has protected this knowledge so it may continue to heal hearts and bring peace. This award belongs to all who listen and carry forward this art with devotion."

The news was met with celebration among his peers and students. Zeb Bangash, vocalist, composer, and founding partner of the Khayal Residency, described her mentor as "an icon of a distinctive artistic vision."

She added, "Ustaad Saami personifies the philosophy of 'Khayal'. He's more than a practitioner; he's a living embodiment of its spiritual depth. This award acknowledges the Saami family's work, their microtonal mastery, and the richness of the Muslim culture it reflects."

Echoing that sentiment, Ustaad Rauf Saami, the maestro's eldest son, said, "My father has spent his entire life protecting the sacred sound of 'Khayal' — its microtonal beauty, its emotion, its soul. For us, this award is not just an honour but a reminder of our family's mission to keep this ancient music breathing."

From Karachi to global stages, Ustaad Saami's influence has been far-reaching. His music has travelled from Sufi shrines to international festivals and concert halls. His albums 'God Is Not a Terrorist' (2019), 'Pakistan Is for the Peaceful' (2020), and 'East Pakistan Sky' (2021), produced by Grammy-winner Ian Brennan, introduced his profound art to new audiences.

Josh Kohn, Associate Director at the Center for Cultural Vibrancy, which has championed 'The Saami Brothers' US tours, said, "The Saami family's work fulfils the very purpose of the Aga Khan Music Awards — sustaining a sacred lineage while creating new pathways for global audiences to understand devotion and art."

Nermeen Arastu, law professor and student of Ustaad Rauf Saami, added, "This recognition celebrates a centuries-old spiritual art nurtured in Pakistan that continues to bring peace and purpose to the modern world — a reminder that harmony, both musical and human, remains at the heart of our faith and culture."

The Patron's Award adds to Ustaad Saami's long list of national and international honours, including Pakistan's 'Tamgha-e-Imtiaz' in 2007 and 'Pride of Performance' in 2013.

For his students and colleagues, the latest recognition is not merely a tribute to a maestro, but to a living tradition that continues to connect sound, spirit, and generations.