Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Qawwali
क़व्वाली; Sufi devotional singing
Qawwali is the devotional music of South Asia’s Sufi shrines, sung by a group led by one or two main singers. Handclaps mark the beat as repeated phrases build towards faster singing and higher notes.
By John, Music lover from Bangalore · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 29 Sept 2026
Qawwali
Qawwali is the devotional music of South Asia’s Sufi shrines. One or two main singers lead a group, with a chorus, the singers who respond together. Handclaps mark the beat.
The words come from Sufi poetry in Urdu, Punjabi and Persian, praising God, the Prophet or a saint. They often take ghazal form: poetry made of self-contained couplets, or pairs of lines, linked by rhyme and a shared rhythmic pattern.
For an example, listen to recordings of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, whose work brought qawwali to a world audience.
Where you will hear it
Qawwali is devotional music heard at Sufi shrines in South Asia. The singers use Sufi poetry in Urdu, Punjabi and Persian to praise God, the Prophet or a saint.
These texts often take ghazal form. A ghazal is poetry made from self-contained couplets, or pairs of lines, linked by rhyme and a shared pattern of line length and rhythm.
You can also meet qawwali through recordings. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s recordings are an example to listen to: they brought qawwali to a world audience.
Keep going
- What is a ghazal? Structure explained with two BeatRootRaga originals · A ghazal is poetry built from self-contained couplets, or pairs of lines, joined by rhyme and a shared pattern of line length and rhythm. When sung, a returning melody connects the couplets, while repeated lines, melodic changes and pauses give listeners time to hear the meaning.