Qawwali is the Sufi music of India and Pakistan. Characteristic is the poetry set to stirring music and the rhythmic clapping of hands. Instruments are used, including a hand-pumped harmonium, various stringed and percussion instruments such as the dholak and more recently the tabla. Qawwali was originally sung in Persian and an ancient form of Hindi, Braj Bhasha. Today it is sung in many languages
… including Urdu, a relatively modern language native to Northern India and Pakistan. An interpreter of this type of music is called qawwal. The most important qawwal today is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who died last year from Pakistan. This double CD, released by the world music label Network, is a tribute to this singer who, thanks to Peter Gabriel's Womad organization, was also known in Europe. Desert Blues, Road Of The Gypsies and Sufi Soul have previously appeared in this series. (CK)more
