Qawwali and Sufi music in Pakistan represent one of the most distinguished cultural arts of the country and the broader South Asian region. This genre is a form of Sufi devotional music whose primary aim is to evoke spiritual emotions in listeners and to express mysticism, spirituality, and divine love. This style of music is typically performed during Sufi gatherings and at the shrines of saints. Many famous Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as Data Darbar in Lahore and the shrine of Alibn Uthman al-Hujwiri (Data Ganj Bakhsh), the great fifth-century Hijri Sufi, are recognized as major centers of Qawwali performance.
Structurally, Qawwali consists of a lead vocalist accompanied by a group of chorus singers, and its performance makes use of traditional musical instruments such as the tanpura, dambura, dhol, and harmonium.
One of the main characteristics of Qawwali music is the repetition of devotional chants and verses to create a state of spiritual ecstasy and emotional intensity. Qawwali lyrics are primarily drawn from Persian, Urdu, and sometimes Punjabi poetry, with themes centered on divine love, mysticism, and Sufi ethics. Performances are usually live, highly energetic, and often lengthy, sometimes lasting more than an hour.
The history and roots of Qawwali date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, emerging with the arrival of the Chishti Sufi Order in the regions that now constitute India and Pakistan.
One of the central objectives of Qawwali is to induce a trance-like state. This trance may arise from the impact of music on listeners or through the act of musical performance itself, including singing and rhythmic movement. The ultimate goal of this dialogue between musicians and audiences is to lead participants to a heightened state of perception and awareness.
Like other forms of sacred music, Qawwali elevates listeners to another level of consciousness, introducing ordinary people to the complexities and hidden dimensions of ma‘rifat (spiritual knowledge). Devotees of Qawwali often describe their experience of this music as a “journey.”
In present-day India and Pakistan, Chishti Sufis historically used music as a means of drawing people toward mysticism and spirituality. Figures such as Imam Ali, Rumi, Hafez, and other Persian and South Asian Sufi poets inspired the poetic foundations of Qawwali. The most brilliant and influential figure in Qawwali music was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
In all of his mystical compositions, Fateh Ali Khan focused on themes of religion and God. He praised God, the Prophet of Islam, and all the righteous, drawing inspiration from them. Master Amad Ali Qawwal and Master Bachchu Khan were among the early masters and founders of this art form in the Indian subcontinent. Later generations, including Master Nasir Hussain Qawwal and Master Latif Hussain Qawwal, further developed and refined Qawwali. Today, Master Nasir Hussain Qawwal and Master Rahman Baba are considered among the most well-known figures in Qawwali music.
In this mystical musical tradition, the purpose extends far beyond artistic entertainment; rather, Qawwali serves as a means of directly experiencing divine love. Its primary aims include creating a spiritual state in the listener, teaching ethical and mystical concepts, and strengthening social and cultural bonds among people. The Sufi poetry used in Qawwali, drawn from Persian and Urdu-language poets, conveys concepts such as the unity of existence, divine love, and complete submission to the will of God.
Through the performance of poetry in Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, and Balochi, Qawwali reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Pakistani people. This music brings together individuals of different genders, social classes, and ethnic backgrounds, fostering a sense of cultural unity.
A typical Qawwali ensemble consists of four to eight singers, including one lead vocalist and a group of accompanying chorus singers. Performances usually begin with a calm and gradual introduction (Sama), which progressively intensifies in order to reach a spiritual climax (Wajd).
Qawwali is also performed at international festivals and concert halls and is widely recognized as a symbol of Pakistan’s Sufi culture and musical heritage. Many pop and classical musicians in Pakistan and India have drawn inspiration from Qawwali. Therefore, Qawwali can be regarded not merely as a musical genre but as a national and cultural symbol of Pakistan, representing the country’s history, mysticism, unity, and artistic expression.
As both a devotional and artistic practice, Qawwali creates an atmosphere of passion and spiritual intoxication (trance) and promotes peace and mysticism. Despite opposition from extremist groups, it continues to be regarded as a powerful symbol of Pakistan’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.