Qawwali Night: Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammed Group Live Music Performance Nov 4th

Masters of Qawwali Sufi music Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawwal and Brothers bring their powerful and popular group from Karachi to Washington, D.C. on November 4th. Hosted by DC Baithak, Adabi Baithak and the Georgetown South Asian Society.

The performance will be ​Baithak style which in Hindi or Urdu comes from the word "sitting" — this will be a semi intimate music gathering where everyone is seated together on the floor both artists and audience right next to one another. That said, we will have chairs available as an option.

Qawwali is a centuries-old South Asian devotional musical tradition rooted in Sufi poetry and spirituality, using music, repetition, and collective participation to create an experience of connection and transcendence.

Beyond its musical significance, it is an important part of the cultural heritage of the region and has long brought people of different backgrounds together through its emphasis on love, devotion, and community.

"Listeners were in awe of the sheer energy of the performers and the impact it had with the minimal use of musical instruments. The musical brilliance of qawwalis like Mast Kalandar, Mera Piya Ghar Aya, Kangna and Allah Hoo demonstrated why the group is known across the world. The qawwals dotted their performance with references to Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrau, Kabir and other pioneers of Sufi music to trace the history of their style." The Hindu

They tour the United States annually and are internationally respected for their work and contribution to the Qawwali tradition.

Here is a link to their Instagram for additional context: Farid Ayaz and Abu Muhammad

Hosts:

DC Baithak was started by a small group of friends and music lovers in DC who started a home-style organization to bring our traditional live music experience of world class sitar, sarod, tabla and other Indian Classical players to Washington DC for beautiful nights of music both to aficionados of the genres well as people who are taking in the experience for the first time.

Adabi Baithak started at the University of Chicago by a group of students who wanted to explore and share their love of Urdu poetry and literature. They have since expanded to San Francisco, Los Angeles and DC. In DC. Adabi Baithak hosts monthly gatherings with engaging discussions of famous works followed by an opportunity to share original pieces.

Georgetown University's South Asian Society (SAS) seeks to raise awareness and understanding of South Asian culture through a variety of social, cultural, academic, artistic, and charitable events throughout the year. The club annually hosts Rangila, the largest South Asian cultural show on campus and largest charity dance showcase in the country.

Warmly,

Nausheen, Jeannie, Anoosha and Nihal

Contact Info: [email protected]