JEDDAH, 29 November 2003 — The guns had only been silent for two days along a line that has always remained out of control. But the dividends of a peace process begun in Islamabad and welcomed in New Delhi were already evident at the Mehfil-e-Qawwali organized by the Indian Consulate at the International Indian School auditorium here over the weekend.
Indians and Pakistanis are too well known for their clashes — either in the political arena, on a cricketing ground or in the Letters to the Editor column in the Kingdom’s newspapers. Journalistically speaking, when something is too well known it no longer remains news, and no news has always been good news as far as Indo-Pak stories are concerned. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise to see Indian Consul General Syed Akbaruddin and his Pakistani counterpart Masood Akhtar caught up in the rhythm of qawwalis sung beautifully by Nazeer Ahmad Khan Warsi and his men.
As the two consul-generals leaned toward each other to discuss the finer points of this unique musical genre, the almost-full auditorium went into a frenzy of clapping and cheering as the qawwals sang “Kab Tak Mere Maula? Thehra Huwa Darya Hun, Badi Der Se Chup Hun. Kab Tak Mere Maula?” (For How Long, My God? I Am Like a River That Has Remained Still for a Long Time. For How Long, My God?). Those lines touched an instant chord among the members of the audience, men and women alike. “Kab Tak?” they kept repeating.
After “Kab Tak?” the Warsi Brothers, well-known in Hyderabad, went into romantic mode and won accolades with their rendition of some of the finest qawwalis there are. One moment, the audience was swooning with “Tumhe Danista Gar Dekha Hai to Mujrim Hun, Nazar to Nazar Hai Be Iraada Uth Gayee Hogee.” The next moment they went ecstatic with “Naseeb-e-Subah Gulshan Mein Gulon Se Khelti Hogee, Kisee Ki Aakhri Hichki Kisee Ki Dillagi Hogee.” Finally, they crooned along with the singers to “Mauje Saahil Se Milo, Maahe Kaamil Se Milo, Sab Se Mil Aao to Ek Baar Mere Dil Se Milo.”
In its rhythm and syncopation, qawwali is like pop music. The word is derived from the Arabic “qaul,” which means a word or a saying. At the start of the event, it was pointed out that qawwali was invented by the poet and statesman Amir Khusro 800 years ago. These devotional songs are sung accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium and tabla. When set to music, qawwalis become highly melodious, catching all listeners in their irresistible embrace.
Most of the qawwalis are in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “Subhanallah, Subhanallah” roared the audience as the Warsi Brothers sang “Sar La Makan Se Talab Huwee, Sue Muntaha Woh Chale Nabi.” This particular qawwali was made famous by the legendary Sabri Brothers of Pakistan, who remain the last word in the world of qawwalis. Their other famous number is “Dai Halima Gode Mein Teri Chand Nikalne Wala Hai.”
The Mehfil-e-Qawwali, like all good things, came to end a little too soon. As the formal announcement was being made that the mehfil had concluded, the audience rose to their feet screaming for more. A beaming and delighted Akbaruddin acknowledged their requests and promised to organize future “mehfilein.” As for the Pakistani consul general, he departed after greeting the singers with salaams and goodwill. Man of letters that he is, steeped in the culture of the subcontinent, Masood Akhtar clearly enjoyed every moment of the evening.
