"Every qawwali has its own nature."
Indian qawwali singers are maestros of melody and art.
Qawwali is a form of Sufi singing that originated in South Asia.
Therefore, it is renowned within the South Asian diaspora.
There have been many Indian singers who have mastered the art form and taken it to new horizons.
They pull at listeners ‘ heartstrings with purity, romance, and soul in their voices.
DESIblitz showcases a curated list of 10 Indian qawwali singers that you need to hear.
Mohammad Rafi
In the glistening realm of Bollywood’s Golden Era, Mohammad Rafi remains a hugely popular and influential singer.
From the ’40s to the ’70s, he reigned as a leading playback artist, adorning several actors with his voice onscreen.
Although Rafi Sahab excelled in a variety of genres, he shone in qawwali.
In the film Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Rafi Sahab worked wonders with ‘Parda Hai Parda‘.
It is a long number, but the interest of the audience in the song never dwindles.
HV Murthy remarks: “Mohammad Rafi scored over all others.
“He has sung umpteen number of qawwalis.”
While it is undeniable that all of Rafi Sahab’s work has a unique longevity, his qawwali renditions hold a special place in the annals of Indian film music.
Nisa Azeezi
Hailing from Kerala, Nisa Azeezi is one of the most popular Indian qawwali singers.
She practised under the renowned sitar player Rafique Khan.
One of her popular qawwals is ‘Dama Dama Mast Qalandar’.
The number requires her to utter lyrics in one breath at a time, performing with perfect control.
Nisa does this with remarkable skill, proving her worth in the qawwali genre.
Delving into her fascination with qawwali, Nisa explains:
“The philosophy of oneness and love for all is a concept that is close to my heart.
“Everything I sing has a qawwali touch and therefore there is nothing unusual about it.”
Ateeq Hussain Khan
Born in Hyderabad, Ateeq Hussain Khan began his forays into music at the tender age of five.
Ateeq started to perform alongside his father in many Qawwali stage shows.
He has toured the world, showcasing his art everywhere.
Ateeq stresses the importance of people understanding the genre and he praises music composer AR Rahman:
“There is an urgent need for every individual to understand the Sufi essence of qawwali.
“Luckily, we have AR Rahman in Bollywood, who has brought in a beautiful amalgamation of Sufiana style and qawwali in his compositions.
“Music should become a medium to understand our inner self.”
Such progressive thoughts suggest why Ateeq Hussain Khan is one of the most talented Indian qawwali singers.
Prabha Bharti
In the ’60s to the ’90s, Prabha Bharti was a connoisseur of qawwali.
Prabha won many qawwali competitions against male singers, signifying the rise of women in the music genre.
One of her famous works is ‘Jhoom Sharabi Jhoom‘.
Her voice is an original blend of melody and raspiness.
She commands all the notes in the number expertly.
Prabha also penned the lyrics of several of her songs, thus proving that she was not only a mellifluous singer.
She was also a talented writer.
Prabha Bharti passed away in the late 2000s, leaving behind a glorious legacy.
Jaani Babu Qawwal
Born Jan Mohammad Jani Babu, Jaani Babu Qawwal’s astounding work in qawwali shone in Bollywood films.
In 1974, he sang ‘Mehngai Mar Gayi‘ along with legends Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, and Narendra Chanchal.
The number is from the film Roti Kapda Aur Makaan.
He also sang ‘Raat Abhi Baaki Hai’ from Do Khiladi (1976).
A YouTube comment describes Jaani Babu as an “extraordinary singer”.
Divulging his thoughts about qawwali, Jaani Babu expresses:
“The special thing is every qawwali has its own nature, its own attitude.
“That’s the real beauty of this genre. That’s why it appeals to every listener.”
Mujataba Aziz Naza
One of the most prolific Indian qawwali singers, Mujataba Aziz Naza is in a league of his own.
In the film Indu Sarkar (2017), he sang ‘Chadhta Suraj Dheere Dheere‘.
The song is the anthem of the film and is rendered splendidly in Mujataba’s breathtaking voice.
Speaking about the song, the singer comments:
“This song is very close to my heart as the original one has been sung by my father.”
“I have seen people being extremely moved when I have performed this song in the past.
“I’m hoping it will be well received in the movie as well.”
He has also sung ‘Jhalwa Mere Khwaja Ka‘ – a resplendent rendition.
A master of qawwali, Mujataba Aziz Naza is a great singer with a staggering body of work.
Ashraf Hydroz
Primarily focusing on qawwali, Ashraf Hydroz is one of the best classical musicians in India.
His captivating voice gleans in a live performance of ‘Khayal-e-Qawwali’.
The rendition demands changes in his intonation and developments in the pitch.
However, Ashraf takes on these challenges like a thorough professional.
In 2017, Ashraf revealed that he was a bank manager but he quit when he realised his real passion:
“I have been singing all kinds of classical music before, even when I had the job.
“I have retired now. But it is in the last ten years that I have been focusing on Sufi music.
“The songs come with the message that love is the basis of all. I choose such poems.
“Songs by Kabir Das, Amir Khusrow – all of which are about universal love between human beings.”
Habib Painter
Born in 1915, Habib Painter was a remarkable qawwali singer.
His surname derives from his first career as a billboard painter.
Some of his memorable qawwalis include ‘Wo Har Zarre Mein Hai’, ‘Baap Ki Naseehat Beti Ko‘, and ‘Kare Koi Bhare Koi’.
Praising ‘Baap Ki Naseehat Beti Ko’, a fan enthuses: “Whenever I hear this qawwali, my eyes well up.
“Nobody can love like mothers and fathers.”
During the India-China war, Habib sang for the troops of his country.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru subsequently honoured him with the title ‘Bulbul-e-Hind’ which means ‘Nightingale of India’.
Paying tribute to Habib, Manish Gaekwad writes: “Painter was most comfortable singing as if he was performing at the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi.
“When he took to the stage at private concerts, his performance turned into a similar frenzy.”
In Aligarh – where Habib grew up – there is a park named in his memory.
Chand Nizami
Chand Nizami is the lead singer of the Qawwali music band Nizami Bandhu.
The group also comprises Shadab Faridi and Sohrab Faridi Nizami.
In 2017, Chand Nizami released a qawwali named ‘Batau Kya Raaz Apne Dil Ka‘.
He and his group nail the pitch and with each clap, they raise their game.
Talking about his art, Chand Nizami states: “This form of art was started with an intent to spread the message of peace, love, and humanity.
“All I can say is that we sing from the heart and it reaches the heart of the listener.
“People appreciate the art and essence of Sufism, and that’s what matters.”
Atlaf Raja
Atlaf Raja first gained recognition with his album ‘Tum Toh Thehre Pardesi‘ (1997).
His other albums include ‘Mujhe Apna Bana Lo’ (1999), ‘Ashqon Ki Baaraat’ (2012), and ‘Saath Kya Nibhaoge’ (2021).
Atlaf explains his thoughts about music:
“Music is music. A good, melodious song will always be a hit and a chartbuster be it in any era.
“But because of the lack of creativity, people are now much more dependent on software.
“So, I just believe in good melody which lives on forever.”
Atlaf’s expert grasp of melody is evident in all his qawwalis, which will stand the test of time.
Indian qawwali singers are music aficionados who have an undying passion for their craft.
Their zeal for this specific musical genre is infectious and their songs have an everlasting impact on listeners.
They have all carved a niche for themselves in their field.
The work of these Indian qawwali singers deserves to be preserved and honoured.
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