April 17, 2008
Qawwali music to be performed at Meany April 26
Mehr and Sher Ali perform qawwali music with their ensemble at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Meany Hall.
Characterized by strong voices, explosive hand-clapping and intricate rhythms performed by all-male ensembles, qawwali is devotional music based on the mystic poetry of the Sufi masters.
Qawwali blends Iranian and Central Asian poetic, philosophical and musical elements into a North Indian base, combining popular music with classical traditions. Following the same pattern of combining and blending, the texts can be both Arabic and Persian, but the main body of the text is usually sung in a simple idiomatic form of the Indian languages Urdu, Hindi, Purbi, and Punjabi. The word qawwali is derived from the Arabic word qaul, meaning “belief” or “credo.”
Qawwali is spiritual in essence. The Sufis used this devotional music to attain a mystical trance state. The form originated in the 10th century and, from the 13th century onwards, it began to blossom into its present form.
Pakistani-born brothers Mehr and Sher Ali, who lead the ensemble performing at Meany, received their early musical training from their father, a court classical singer in India. They believe that qawwali transcends the limitations of orthodox religion and that the music can bring harmony and peace to the soul, while projecting a message of unity and love for all.
Tickets are $32 and may be purchased by phone at 206-543-4880, online at http://www.uwworldseries.org/ or in person at the UW Arts Ticket Office. Ticket holders are invited to come early on performance nights to learn more about the program at a free pre-show lecture. The free lecture begins at 7:15 p.m. in the Meany Hall west lobby and lasts about 30 minutes.
