From Monday 13 July we're partially reopening. Everyone who visits us will need a ticket in advance. Find out more

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali

Sat 30 Mar 2019, 20:00 ,Barbican Hall

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali perform tradition instruments and sing seated with a backdrop of a mosque

Nephews of the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and tutored by the master singer himself, Rizwan and Muazzam perform hypnotising sacred Qawwali music with their ensemble of traditional instruments.

Seated on the floor, making them humble and focussed on God, the musicians build intoxicating swirls of ambient sounds, cut across with rhythmic handclaps and springing tablas. Singing songs of love to God and longing for spiritual enlightenment – their energy raw and enrapturing – the effect is hypnotic to all who witness it; whether a scholar of Sufi music or completely new to the form.

Considered by many to have been one of the greatest voices who ever lived, an influence on traditional musicians, electronic producers and rock stars alike, Nusrat’s nephews continue his pioneering approach to transcend cultural, language and religious barriers, bringing to the world the devotional and vibrant music of the Sufi mystics.

Tagged with: Contemporary music Contemporary Music World Music

This performance will begin promptly at the advertised start time and running time will be confirmed closer to the event.

As a guide, please note that events usually finish by 10.30pm at the latest.

Produced by the Barbican in association with Asian Arts Agency

This is a past event. Sign up to our newsletters to hear about upcoming events

‘Intoxicating and entrancing, Rizwan and Muazzam’s voices climb and swoop as if riding air currents‘

BBC

Discover

mandala animation

An introduction to Sufi Music

Navid Akhtar takes us on a brief journey through Sufi music – from its roots all over the Islamic world, to its influence on Western music.

Read

rizwan Muazzam Qawwali playing in the barbican hall

Watch: Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali performing in the Barbican Hall

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali performs live in our Hall last March 2017.

spiritual drawing of meditative music

Listen: Meditative Music on Spotify

Follow our regularly updated Meditative Music playlist for a sample of the music you'll hear across our programme.

Barbican Hall

Saved events

Share your feedback