Mast Qalandar Bolo by Ilahi - Women’s Sufi Qawwali

“Since the first moment I heard Qawwali 25yrs ago I’ve been completely obsessed and in love and with it. The reasons are many… Yet one unique element of this tradition which moves me is how an ensemble of about 10 men sing together as one. A truly powerful expression of unity, community & cooperation; wherein the collective devotion of many is amplify as one. Over the past 25yrs of fervent study with the greatest Qawwali singers of Pakistan, my love for this art continues to grow. Though in all these years of fervent research and learning, I have never once seen women offering this music as an ensemble. There are certainly some remarkable female Sufi singers from Zahida Parveen to Abida Parveen, yet why not a complete group in doaba Qawwali formation?