ISLAMABAD, June 15: Renowned Qawwals featured in two-day Qawwali festival organised by Pakistan National Council of the arts (PNCA) that concluded on June 14.

Allama Nazir Chishti Qawwal and group, Tanveer Salamat Noshi Qawwal and Group, Naeem Munawwar Santo Qawwal and Group, Sher Mian Dad Qawal and Amjad Farid Sabri Qawwal enthralled the residents of the twin cities and music lovers.

The Qawwal parties led by young Qawwali Maestros, who are successfully carrying forward the mission of safeguarding the Qawwali traditions, gave the message of love, peace and harmony through soft feelings of music.

Speaking about the show, Director General PNCA, Tauqeer Nasir said that 'Sufis' have played a significant role in dissemination of the divine message of Islam.

The Qawwals took this message to the four corners of subcontinent through their piercing art of Qawwali. He said that Islam is a religion of love and peace but unfortunately is misinterpreted by a particular segment of ill-wishers of Islam.

Mostly Qawwali is linked to the Sufi traditions and Islamic verses having a mystical school of Islamic thought which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience.

He said Qawali follows a very specific psychological process in which one starts with the singing of the song. In this psychological state the song is received in a manner that is not unlike standard forms of musical expression.

The words are sung, quite repeatedly with variations intended to bring out deeper means of the lyrics, he said adding, after a while there is a repetition to the extent that the words cease to have a meaning.

For Qawali, the musical accompaniment is varied; harmonium, tabla, dholak, sarangi, saringda, and rabab, are common instruments. Furthermore, a simple clapping of the hands is a popular rhythmic support.

He said this was the high time to highlight the softer image of the country through different art mediums, particularly Qawwali.—APP