Delhi, Qawwali and Holi
Fareed Ayaz, proponent of the Delhi Gharana and Qawwal, often breaks down while singing Qawwalis (see him in the second video below). It is difficult not to when listening to Amir Khusro’s poetry being sung to a Raag. One of the many reasons for my romantic love for Delhi, is that it is the birthplace of the Qawwali. Amir Khusro penned the first Qawwalis in 13th century Delhi and while his mentor Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya prohibited the use of instruments, today, percussion and harmonium are important parts of it.
Basant, and its culmination Holi, are when Qawwalis play more than usual in our house and below are my favourites.
Delhi is vibrant with colour in Spring — starting with the flamboyant Semal and on to the more shy Chamrod, Neem and Kachnar somewhere in the middle. During Khusro’s time, Mustard flowers would have been the first flowers in Delhi (they still are, even a few kms outside the city). Khusro wrote ‘Phool Rahi Sarson’ celebrating it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M04-nQ6pkvU
My bigger favourite though, is another Qawwali in the same Raag (Bahaar) performed by Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammed. The Tirvat at the beginning is riveting but if you want to reach the Qawwali, Khwaja Sung Kheliye Dhamal, directly, it starts at around 6 minutes into the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ74szweuZw
Like most Qawwalis, Aaj Basant Mana Le, uses uniting with one’s beloved as an analogy for divine union and Spring as a metaphor for Hope or maybe new beginnings. This plays through the month of Basant, at Dargahs across India and most certainly at its birthplace at Nizamuddin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYqvN6LBrrk
During Basant and all other seasons, Qawwali sessions usually end with this one. There is no specific mention of Basant or Holi or Gulaal in this Qawwali called Rang. ‘Rang’ would probably imply the colour of the divine and being bathed in the colour of divinity/ divine love is the allusion here. Maybe that’s what Khusro meant all along, when he talked about Basant, Gulaal and Dhamal.
“Rakhiyo Jagat Mein Laal Gulal
Hazrat Khwaja Sung Kheliye Dhamal….”
