[vishkk]

Not sure if it is niche, but focused on one South Asian music genre -- been working on this personal project to compile, and collect resources from reliable sources along with mapping lineages of people. Also, I archive a lot of music for this genre from different sources before it vanishes from internet!

https://www.qavvali.com/

EDIT: I have one more page but that is not in navigation yet for people not familiar with the genre. The site is still work in progress -- if you have any feedback, please do leave it here, on the website if you can. The content curation is the most tedious part! https://www.qavvali.com/tradition/

[cgopalan]

I was born and brought up in India, moved to the US at 27, but only now in my 50s chanced upon the amazing music that is qawwali. Till a couple of years ago I had no idea that such a treasure trove existed as part of Hindustani classical music (I was only familiar with the Indian side of Hindustani classical and the qawwalis in Indian films). I binge out on Coke Studio Pakistan songs and videos and find them mesmerizing. Fareed Ayaz and Mohammad Abu are treasures. Thank you for this, I’ll be sure to listen!

[dyauspitr]

Qawali is some of the best music in the world, but I think it’s a little hard for a western audience to digest, especially without someone providing a running translation and context behind a lot of the things being said.

That being said, your website is wonderful! Nice work.

[vishkk]

Thank you, and absolutely! I have been trying to get more people to try — my friend and i host a Zoom listening session every 3 months or so where he curates a playlist to introduce new artists.

[dyauspitr]

I would love a link if you’re willing to publicly share it!

[vishkk]

sure thing —- feel free to share with anyone else interested. It starts at 1PM EST, and goes on for roughly 8 hours so drop by/tune in anytime you want: https://luma.com/823kzuci?tk=IiDKu2

[rmnull]

Qawalli is great and thank you for spreading more of this and keeping it alive. Farid Ayaz & Abu Mohammad Qawalls is one of the greatest qawalls of all time in his dedication to music, they never sold out to commercial terms while making quality music. Farid Ayaz also carries an aura around him and the music he creates. If anyone is interested in getting to more into qawalli they should check out this documentary called "Had Anhad"[0], I'm linking a section where Farid Ayaz is interviewed below(cause I'm such a fanboy ;)

To OP, Great work, for keeping the verbal poetry alive. PEACE

[0]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWH3vxIYZcA