The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : An evening of Sufi music and qawwalis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 22, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

An evening of Sufi music and qawwalis

Ranjani Govind

Vibrant: Aslam Sabri.

BANGALORE: The cosmopolitan tastes of Bangalore ensure a variety of entertainment.

This weekend, get set to witness mystical Sufi music and robust qawwalis by Aslam Sabri and Parveen Saba on the sprawling lawns of the open-air entertainment area at Shankara on Kanakapura Road.

Bringing these renowned musicians to the city is The Right Angle, a public trust run by flautist Pravin Godkhindi, actor and fashion designer Sarika Godkhindi and writer-director and creative head of ETV Surendranath.

“We are flagging off with the first concert from The Right Angle with Sham-e-Sufiana. There will be other interesting offerings every two months,” said Mr. Surendranath.

Sarika Godkhindi said, “Poetry sessions by well-known poets of the country is another area that we are thinking of.”

According to Pravin Godkhindi, “Aslam Sabri and Parveen Saba will engage in a spontaneous jugalbandi after their individual performances to bring in the excitement of melody repartee.” The qawwali is a vibrant musical tradition that dates back more than 700 years. Originally performed at Sufi shrines throughout the subcontinent, it received international exposure through the performances of the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Aslam Sabri, known for his impromptu renditions, is one amongst the few Sufi qawwals of India and is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

He is a well-known artiste of Akashvani and Doordarshan and has been featured in almost all major music conferences across India.

He has the unique distinction of performing for the Indian Army in the border areas of north India. as well as in several other countries.

Parveen Saba is one of the few woman qawwals of our country, and is known for her spontaneity in presenting traditional verses, jugalbandi being her forte.

Sham-e-Sufiana will be held on Saturday, 7 p.m. onwards, at Shankara, Kanakapura Road.

For details call 99800 91913.

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