Various Sufi Artists recorded at the Nizamuddin shrine in Delhi and in Karachi, broadcast on BBC Radio 3 FM "World Routes" 2000-12-24/31 FLAC master


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Programme 1

In the first of two award-winning programmes, first broadcast on BBC World Service, Jameela Siddiqi attends the all-night festival at the cradle of Sufi music, the Nizamuddin shrine in Delhi.

She attends a special performance by the Nizami Qawwal, the shrines resident musicians, and discovers qawwalis both public and secret. She talks to pilgrims and describes the mystical experience of visiting the shrine.

01 Nizamuddin's grave

Jameela Siddiqi visits to the grave of Sufi master Nizamuddin in Delhi, the cradle of classical Qawwali. She attends a performance by the Nizami Qawwal for the anniversary of the great master’s death.

Music Played

Nizami Qawwal— A Qawwali in praise of Ali

02 Sufi Music and the quest for enlightenment

Jameela learns about the origins of Sufi music. From its spread from Turkish warriors to India and the type of Islam which followed. Jameela hears about the quest of enlightenment from Sufi tradition.

03 Sufi Song

We hear a Sufi song about the eyes of two lovers meeting and the resulting dishevelment of love making, but the song has an underlying spiritual message.

Music Played

Nizami Qawwal— Our eyes met

04 Nizmi Qawwal

Sufi performers the Nizami Qawwal family have always been the resident performers at the tomb. They invite Jameela to a family dinner and a private recital of their secret qawwalis.

Music Played

Nizami Qawwal— Unknown

Nizami Qawwal— unknown

05 Mystical experience

Jameela describes the mystical experience of visiting the tomb of the Sufi master, Nizamuddin. Pilgrims talk about why they come. They explain the effect the qawwali has on the listener.

06 Wedding night qawwali

We hear a final qawwali describing the passion of a wedding night where the love between the couple is so strong that they want to be one.

Music Played

Nizami Qawwal — A wedding song

Programme 2

In the second of two programmes from this Sony Award-winning series, first broadcast on BBC World Service, Jameela Siddiqi visits a mahfil, a late-night Sufi gathering in a private home in Karachi.

She hears multi-lingual qawwali and learns about the affect the music can have on the listener. As well as learning about the controversial relationship between music and Islam.

01 Mahfil

Jameela Siddiqi visits a Mahfil, a late night Sufi musical gathering at a private home in Karachi. These gatherings can last from dusk till dawn and God is always praised before the performers.

Music played

Unknown— Music from Mahfil

02 Multilingual qawwali

We hear a qawwali (Sufi devotional song) where several languages are incorporated in the same song: Arabic, Persian and old Hindi. Each language reinforces the message of praising God.

Music played

Unknown— unknown Qawwali

03 Structure of qawwali

At a recital of qawwalis, a performer talks about the structure of a qawwali group. He explains the use of percussion and the different instruments. He emphasises the role of rhythm and repetition.

04 Qawwali based on Persian poem

We hear a long qawwali based on a Persian poem about the love of God. During the performance you can hear the music and the musicians reach a level of spiritual intensity and ecstasy.

Unknown— a Persian poem about the love of God

05 The affects of qawwali

A qawwali is performed at a private gathering. A local qawwali fan explains how the music transforms him into another world. He explains about the controversial relationship between music and Islam.

Unknown— Qawwali from private gathering