Friday October 12, 8:00pm
$25 general admission, $35 reserved seating
In this time of religious extremism, there are still those who are carrying the flame of religious tolerance, devotion and mysticism- and the Sufi’s are some of the most ancient. Fanna-Fi-Allah carries the tradition and teachings of the Sufi’s in their music, the devotionally driven and passionate music of Qawwali. Through many years of study and practice under the guidance of Qawwali masters of India and Pakistan, their expression of Qawwali music has become an authentic representation and continuation of this ancient tradition of Sufi music.
Sufism is alive and well in India and Pakistan, where Qawwali music celebrates the great Sufi mystics of old, and relishes in the love of the Divine through poetry. Sung with a powerful and soaring melodious chorus and accompanied by entrancing energetic rhythms of tabla and group clapping, the Beloved is celebrated with ecstatic devotion. Fanna-Fi-Allah gives audiences a glimpse inside this rich and vibrant Sufi culture, to which many would otherwise never experience. The groups founding members have spent over 20 years learning this classical art-form. During their 15 years of world-wide touring they have played at many major international festivals. They have enthralled audiences in the USA, Pakistan, Europe, Indonesia, India, Egypt, and others, with their dynamic skill, and passionate musical precision. With ten albums already published, Fanna-Fi-Allah have now given us an even greater glimpse into this Sufi world of Pakistan with the production of their new documentary: Music of the Mystics.
Fanna-Fi-Allah continues to carry on an ancient wisdom in their music, a wisdom that is not only heard, but is profoundly felt. A universal message of devotion and tolerance that ignites hearts and quenches their deeper longings. A message that is so crucial for our time.
QAWWALI MUSIC is a passionate devotional practice in which the fire of divine love (ishq) is ecstatically expressed through the mystical verses of Sufi poets, sung in Urdu, Farsi, Hindi and Punjabi. The origins of Qawwali music date back about a thousand years to the first sufi mystics who came to India. Qawwali has evolved into an immense art form spanning over hundreds of years of poets, languages & musical evolutions. Qawwali is associated with the ‘sama’ – a spiritual gathering of the Chishti Order whose religious context serves to bring members of the order into trance-like states, that makes them more aware of their relationship with God.
Fanna-Fi-Allah have been blessed to play qawwali at the beloved tombs of Data Ganj Baksh (Lahore), Baba Ganj-e-Shakar (Pak Pattan), Baba Bulleh Shah (Kasoor), Baba Lasuri Shah (Faislabad) and in India at the tombs of Khwaje Nizzam-Ud-Deen Aulia, Hazrat Amir Khusrau, Pir Inayat Khan (Delhi), Khwaje Mueen-Ud-Deen Chishty (Ajmer).
Tahir Hussain Faridi Qawwal the group leader & manager, studies under vocal masters Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Pashupatinath Mishra, Ustad Sher Ali Khan, and Ustad Muazzam Ali Khan Qawwal. He has honed his amazing harmonium skills with Rahat Ali, the first student of Ustad Faruk Fateh Ali Khan. When not on tour, Tahir teaches vocal music and harmonium within the traditional raaga system. He also sings Thumri, Khayal, Kafi & Heer.
Aminah Chishti Qawwal has been a leading force in the art of traditional qawwali tabla. A student of the great Ustad Dildar Hussain Khan, Aminah was formally initiated by her teacher in 2003. She has changed the boundaries of women in Pakistan by performing at the shrines of Pakistan’s greatest sufi saints.
Laali Qalandar has been an integral part of Fannah-fi-Allah Sufi Qawwali Party since 2001. He is a passionate and talented vocalist who has travelled several times with the group to Pakistan and India, as well as studying alongside Tahir with the current qawwali masters.
Salim Chishti is well known for his purity of pitch & gamak taans. As well as studying with the qawwali greats, he has also honed his classical vocal skills through years of study with the famous drupad singers – The Gundecha Brothers.
Ali Shan has a qawwali clap & chorus that can travel from one village to another. His devotion to the group is beyond deep. He also studies the rabab with Ustad Humayoun Sakhi of Afghanistan.
Jahangir Baba has also been in the ensemble for more than 15 years. As well as touring with the ensemble, he is also deeply involved in the genres of Bhajan & Ghazal.
Abrar Hussain hailing from Lahore Pakistan is the oldest son of the living legend Ustad Dildar Hussain. His speciality is adding powerful giras to the music, enriching the poetic contect of each kalam. He leads his own qawwali ensemble in Pakistan during the Fanna off season called – Ustad Dildar Hussain & Abrar Hussain.