Baaz Na Aayenge Hum Mohabbat Se | बाज़ न आएंगे हम मोहब्बत से | باز نہ آئیں گے ہم محبت سے

Unveiling the Soul of Kalyana Karnataka’s Qawwali Tradition

The foundation of Qawwali history in India, known as the Delhi Gharana, was laid by Hazrat Amir Khusro himself. Under his supervision, the Sangeet Qawwali Bachhe Sufi, also known as the Qawwal Bache Gharana music group, was formed. When Khusro came to Gulbarga in the Deccan region, the style of the Banda Nawaz brothers became prevalent and distinctive, rather than the traditional Qawwali.

In the Chishti school of thought, Qawwali holds a special place and is sometimes even accorded the status of worship. During this period, some Qawwali and music teachers of the Chishtiya lineage accompanied the Banda Nawaz brothers to the Deccan. These included the Banda Nawaz Nizami Sabri and other Banda Nawaz brothers known by various monikers. In Karnataka, they are referred to as Banda Nawaz Qawals.

Karnatak Qawwali is one of the most popular musical styles in the Deccan, and its descendants continue to perform it. In Gulbarga Sharif, there is a branch of the Qawwali Brothers that is quite famous, known as the Banda Nawaz Brothers. This group includes Muhammad Tanveer Niazi, Salam Banda Nawaz, Khawaja Mian Banda Nawaz, and others.

The Sufi performers of Kalyana Karnataka are deeply connected with social alchemy, as they accompany every person, village, and Sufi of the region in public festivals and Urs celebrations, both large and small. These artists are truly public performers and can be considered ambassadors of Carnatic Sufi music in Kalyana Karnataka. The Banda Nawazi brothers’ Qawwali is the custodian of this revived Sufi music, belonging to the same family and keeping the tradition alive through successive generations.

The beautiful and colourful compositions of Kalyana Karnataka are presented at various festivals, with their unique tone and ideas. The group has been awarded the prestigious Kalyana Karnataka Award. Their style of Qawwali, infused with local Sufism, is unique and reveals the influence of Sufi sages and their company.

The Qawwali tradition in Kalyana Karnataka is both a preserver and innovator of this ancient art form. The performers are skilled in choosing meaningful words and delivering them so the audience is inevitable moved and often in raptures . Their music does more than entertain – it offers spiritual fulfillment and teaches listeners about Sufi ideas and poetry.

What makes this style special is how it blends different elements. It captures the heart of Sufi poetry while maintaining a classical feel. At the same time, it creates a unique sound by mixing broader Indian music styles with specific South Indian (Carnatic) traditions.

This combination of traditional roots and regional adaptation makes Kalyana Karnataka’s Qawwali a rich and meaningful form of cultural expression. It speaks to people’s hearts, minds, and souls, connecting them to both ancient wisdom and contemporary experiences.

To delve deeper into this rich history and cultural synthesis, scholars Rahamat Tarikere and Syed Rauf Quadri will provide expert insights. Professor Tarikere, known for his extensive research on Sufi traditions in Karnataka, will elucidate the historical context and evolution of Qawwali in the region. Dr. Quadri, an authority on poetry, Islamic mysticism and its musical expressions, will explore the spiritual dimensions and poetic nuances of the Kalyana Karnataka Qawwali tradition. Together, these scholars will offer a comprehensive understanding of the syncretic culture and musical traditions that have shaped Qawwali in the Deccan and Kalyana Karnataka regions.