Qawwali and Sufi music come to Chittagong

Music enthusiasts of Chittagong enjoyed a special evening on Saturday with a performance by renowned Indian qawwal and Sufi singer Yousuf Khan Nizami and his troupe at Chittagong Club.

Yousuf, belongs to the famous Sikandarbad Gharana which includes legendary singers like Ustad Qudratullah Khan Sahab and Ustad Kifayatullah Khan Sahab.

Yousuf said he was very happy to perform for the first time in Chittagong. Yousuf and his troupe performed a number of songs including “Eh Mere Allah, Eh Mere Mabud,” “Naino Milake,” “Khwaja Mere Khwaja, Dil Mein Sama Ja,” “Main To Deewani Khwaja Ki Deewani” and “Dama Dam Mast Kalalandar.”

Yusuf, hailing from Delhi, also captivated the audience with his unique recitation of poetry. His showmanship was matched by a standing ovation from the audience.

In an introductory speech before the event, Abdus Salam, chairman of Chittagong Club Limited, said qawwali has a 700- year- old tradition in Indian subcontinent, and Delhi nurtured many famous qawwali singers.

He thanked the IGCC in Dhaka and the Indian High Commission for organising the programme.

Somnath Haldar, Assistant High Commissioner of the Assistant High Commission of India in Chittagong, said Sufism has spread in Asia and Africa in the spirit of traditional human religion. The followers of Sufism worship God through the qawwali, he said.