Pre-Concert Talk: Poetry and Philosophy of Qawwali and Sufi Music

Few of the World's traditional musics are as captivating as the 700-year-old form of qawwali. With lively rhythmic cycles, gripping melodies, and inspirational poetry. Qawwali is a form of traditional Sufi devotional music that was originally performed at Sufi shrines, and is still popular throughout Southeast Asia. The history of the artistic expression can be traced back to the 13th century when it was first introduced in Delhi by the Sufi Saint Amir Khusro through the fusion of Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and Indian musical traditions. Qawwalis give an insight into Muslim culture and traditions through its themes of mystic and spiritual devotion and love. Qawwali is a multilingual expression of art, and is typically performed in either one language or a mixture of Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, or Punjabi. The content of Qawwalis is centered around praise of God, the Prophet Muhammad, or a worldly beloved.

Lunch Provided!

7:30 Performance by Riyaaz Qawwali in the Marlo Room, Farinon College Center

Tapestries: Voices Within Contemporary Muslim Cultures. This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Association of Performing Arts Professinals' Buiding Bridges: Arts, Culture and Identity, a component of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation an Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. Learn more at sites.lafayette.edu/tapestries.