A Bedford resident is arranging an evening of traditional South Asian Qawali music in Queens Park on Sunday 6 October.
Bedfordian Omer Tariq is bringing the Qawal Najmuddin Saifuddin Brothers (QNSB) to Bedford as part of their current tour.
QNSB hail from Karachi and belong to the ‘Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana’ school, being the 26th generation of qawwals in their family. QNSB are well versed in Sufi poetry from the Indian subcontinent and have been trained in the traditional art form of qawwali by their father the late Ustad Bahauddin Khan.
“For the first time in Bedford, QNSB will perform a session showcasing the different forms of the tradition of Qawwali,” said Omer.
“I’ve got to know them over the past few years having seen them here and in Pakistan when I’ve visited family there and asked them to perform in Bedford as part of their tour.”
Qawal Najmuddin Saifuddin Brothers are an eight-person group with five vocalists and are family Qawaals who have been taught by their father and the family has been practicing / performing this spiritual music for centuries.
“They claim heritage back to a student of Amir Khusro who formed the first Qawali group in the 12th century,” explained Omer. “So yes, they often say they are the 26th generation of qawals in their family.
“I’m a massive traditional music fan and have arranged smaller shows in London for them before. I’m excited to be able to get them to come here and perform in Bedford.”
