From Chaap Tilak to Kun Faya Kun: Inside a soulful baithak of qawwalis & sher-o-shayari

Rose petals, soulful sher-o-shayari, the sound of harmonium and rhythmic tabla beats set the mood for a memorable mehfil at a popular dining venue in Jubilee Hills recently, where the Kun Faya Kun-famed Nizami Bandhu performed before an intimate gathering of around 150 guests. Brothers Shadab Faridi Nizami and Sohrab Faridi Nizami turned the evening into an immersive sufi experience, with guests showering rose petals after almost every sher in appreciation. The audience swayed, sang along softly and responded to every crescendo with loud cheers of ‘wah wah’, recreating the warmth and spirit of a classic qawwali gathering. The intimate baithak-style setting also allowed the duo to frequently interact with the audience — at times appreciating guests for singing along with them and at times playfully teasing them, adding to the warmth of the evening.

Nizami Bandhu’s qawwali for the city

• Allah Hu Allah Hu
• Akhiyan Udeek Diyan
• Chaap Tilak
• Yeh Tune Kya Kiya
• Mere Rashke Qamar
• Kali Kali Zulfon Ke Phande Na Dalo
• Kun Faya Kun

- Biswajit Talukdar
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