Qawwalis are associated with soul: Rizwan-Muazzam

According to the duo, women aren’t allowed to perform qawwalis.

JODHPUR: Qawwali singers Rizwan and Muazzam Ali Khan aka Rizwan-Muazzam — nephews of legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — were born to create devotional Sufi music. However, they feel when qawwalis are transformed into Bollywood numbers, they lose their soul and essence.

“Qawwalis are associated with the soul, and once you compose them in Bollywood, the composition takes away its essence and meaning,” Rizwan said. “It will be wrong to call it a qawwali. It qualifies as a song.” The duo is no stranger to Bollywood movies — Rizwan and Muazzam are also known for their song Dil Mera Muft Ka.

The brothers performed at the ongoing Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF), and belted out some popular numbers of their late uncle, trying to re-create the same magic with Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai, Maula Ali and Allah Ho, but couldn’t match his calibre.



They feel it is extremely difficult to find anyone like their uncle. “It is a difficult challenge for us, and at times, we feel burdened by it as well. But this also motivates us to outdo our previous performances and develop our own style,” said Muazzam.

Based in Faisalabad, the legacy of the duo’s family tradition goes back 600 years and the craft has been passed on from generation to generation. In earlier days, qawwalis were sung at Sufi shrines and Rizwan feels the form is limited to only men. “Women don’t perform qawwalis. They are not allowed to. It is a rule followed everywhere,” he said.

Rizwan and Muazzam sing in Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Sanskrit. “When we perform in these languages, we ensure that we know the meaning of the lyrics. It is important because you are communicating with Allah, and you should know what you are singing,” added Muazzam.

The duo participated in the third season of Coke Studio Pakistan, and will be seen in its sixth season too. They feel such platforms are the best way to reach out to the younger audiences who are not fond of traditional qawwalis.

“Such platforms allow us to be innovative in our techniques without losing basics of qawwali,” said Rizwan. With the kind of variation and range their voice requires for their act, the two practice eight hours a day and stay away from cold fizzy drinks to avoid sore throats.

Ghee (butter) is the secret ingredient for their soulful voice. “We don’t have oil at all. We eat food cooked in ghee. Can’t you make that out from our health,” Muazzam chuckled.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2013.

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