Following their superb Saturday afternoon performance on the WOMAD BBC Radio 3 Stage, we had the great fortune of speaking to brothers Rizwan and Muazzam Mujalid Ali Khan, in a joint interview with premier folk and world music magazine FROOTS. The interview was conducted principally through the interpretation of manager Rashid Ahmed Din.
Epoch Times (ET): How do you find it following in the footsteps of your uncle, the late great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan?
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali (RMQ): It is not easy. We must take the tradition and maintain the reputation of the family name.
We cannot change the music because it is traditional and set. The music is as it is. We must keep the music and keep the tradition.
ET: Is there any element of adding to the tradition?
RMQ: Yes. We must maintain the tradition, and the spiritual elements must meet the original format, but on certain songs we can incorporate more contemporary lyrics, though it will still sound traditional. Some songs are more spiritual, others less so. But the original compositions never change.
ET: Is there any improvisation?
RMQ: Yes. There is classical improvisation based on Raga, which is the classical notation and the traditional form in which you sing.
ET: Can you please explain the origins of Qawwali music?
RMQ: Qawwali music originates with the Sufi mystics of Islam, about 1,000 years ago in the Gulf States. It was used as a medium to convey Islam, to carry this message of peace and love. It incorporated elements from other countries as it travelled to the Indian sub-continent.
ET: What language do you sing in?
RMQ: Urdu, Punjab and Parsi.
Epoch Times (ET): How do you find it following in the footsteps of your uncle, the late great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan?
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali (RMQ): It is not easy. We must take the tradition and maintain the reputation of the family name.
We cannot change the music because it is traditional and set. The music is as it is. We must keep the music and keep the tradition.
ET: Is there any element of adding to the tradition?
RMQ: Yes. We must maintain the tradition, and the spiritual elements must meet the original format, but on certain songs we can incorporate more contemporary lyrics, though it will still sound traditional. Some songs are more spiritual, others less so. But the original compositions never change.
ET: Is there any improvisation?
RMQ: Yes. There is classical improvisation based on Raga, which is the classical notation and the traditional form in which you sing.
ET: Can you please explain the origins of Qawwali music?
RMQ: Qawwali music originates with the Sufi mystics of Islam, about 1,000 years ago in the Gulf States. It was used as a medium to convey Islam, to carry this message of peace and love. It incorporated elements from other countries as it travelled to the Indian sub-continent.
ET: What language do you sing in?
RMQ: Urdu, Punjab and Parsi.
ET: What role does the audience play?
RMQ: Of course, we play may different patterns and tempos, and the audience responds. We always get a good response, but we are aware when the response is better, and that in turn influences us.
ET: Do you like it when the audience dances?
RMQ: Of course, because that shows that they are enjoying it.
ET: How many people are there on stage?
RMQ: Ten. The two singers, two harmonium players, one tabla player, and five handclapping backing singers. The two main singers lead and everybody else follows.
ET: At WOMAD Festival you often give workshops facilitating audience feedback. Have you noticed any changes following 9/11?
RMQ: Unfortunately yes. The basis of Qawwali is to unite, to bring peace and love, and to help people live peacefully together. The terrorists are people, not the religion. They do not represent the religion. Qawwali brings forth this message. However, this message must compete with the mainstream media, and it is not so well known. So yes, the questions have changed.
ET: Have you seen any reductions in the number of invitations you receive to perform?
RMQ: No, the invitations have not changed. But the visa situation has changed a lot. Now it is much more difficult to obtain the necessary visas. When we first performed in the UK in 88, there were no problems with visas. Now – we waited two months, and the visas arrived two days before we were due to depart. So it is much harder.
ET: And how is life in Pakistan?
RMQ: Not so great. In Pakistan it is different, not festivals like here where you pay money for tickets. Normally at special celebrations we will be invited to play at outdoor performances, the organiser will pay, and guests will attend. But now people are afraid to perform, and guests are afraid to come. It is not so good. Nobody wants the violence. No-one wants it to happen. Everyone wants to listen to music, to live their daily lives, to run their businesses.
ET: I am very sorry to hear that. What are your thoughts on movements within Islam that ban music?
RMQ: Islam does not ban music. That is not written in the Qur’an. The Qur’an bans only vulgarity. Qawwali brings the ability to unite, which is good. Look at today – people from all religions and races have come together to enjoy Qawwali. It is a good thing.
RMQ: Unfortunately yes. The basis of Qawwali is to unite, to bring peace and love, and to help people live peacefully together. The terrorists are people, not the religion. They do not represent the religion. Qawwali brings forth this message. However, this message must compete with the mainstream media, and it is not so well known. So yes, the questions have changed.
ET: Have you seen any reductions in the number of invitations you receive to perform?
RMQ: No, the invitations have not changed. But the visa situation has changed a lot. Now it is much more difficult to obtain the necessary visas. When we first performed in the UK in 88, there were no problems with visas. Now – we waited two months, and the visas arrived two days before we were due to depart. So it is much harder.
ET: And how is life in Pakistan?
RMQ: Not so great. In Pakistan it is different, not festivals like here where you pay money for tickets. Normally at special celebrations we will be invited to play at outdoor performances, the organiser will pay, and guests will attend. But now people are afraid to perform, and guests are afraid to come. It is not so good. Nobody wants the violence. No-one wants it to happen. Everyone wants to listen to music, to live their daily lives, to run their businesses.
ET: I am very sorry to hear that. What are your thoughts on movements within Islam that ban music?
RMQ: Islam does not ban music. That is not written in the Qur’an. The Qur’an bans only vulgarity. Qawwali brings the ability to unite, which is good. Look at today – people from all religions and races have come together to enjoy Qawwali. It is a good thing.
