— Photo: Lingaraj Panda

WAH! WAH! Qawali in Telugu being presented by Andhra Mahila Samajam at a function in Berhampur on Sunday.

BERHAMPUR : Transcending cultural barriers members of Andhra Mahila Samajam of the city tried to describe the heritage of Telugu poetry through a Qawali recital at Kanyaka Parameswari temple on Sunday night.

Although the lyrics were in Telugu yet audience having no knowledge of the language could enjoy it as the tunes were based on Hindustani classical and traditional Qawali.

Popular medium

According to the writer of this lyrical qawali, B.Prasad Rao said he had tried to describe all noted male poets from the era of Adi Kavi Nannayya to `Astadiggajalu' of Kishnadevray's court and female poets from Tadapaka Rangajamma to modern poets like Kantamma.

M. Kameswari of Andhara Mahila Samajam, who led the 10-member Qawali troupe, said they had opted for this popular musical medium to describe Telugu poetic heritage to make it more acceptable to the new generation, who are close to qawalis due to movies.

She thanked Hindustani classical expert D.V.Brahman for his efforts to mould Telugu lyric into the framework of Qawali.For the city dwellers qawali sessions are a rarity.

Most of them like R. Srinivas were astonished to hear Qawali tunes coming out of the temple premises and were dragged inside to enjoy this unique recital.

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