Transcendent devotion: a spiritual journey with Rizwan‑Muazzam Qawwali Group

From the moment the lights dimmed at the Royal Festival Hall, Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali Group transported the audience into a deeply spiritual realm—one where voice, rhythm, and devotion intersect with almost overwhelming intensity.

The performance felt like a pilgrimage. The two lead singers, nephews and inheritors of the Qawwali legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, led with voices that soared effortlessly from quiet lament to ecstatic crescendo. Singing in Urdu, Punjabi, and Farsi, they wove together a tapestry of devotional poetry that invited reflection, yearning, and ultimately, surrender. What struck me most was the sincerity in their delivery—nothing felt performative but rather deeply felt.

Their ensemble was equally compelling. Harmonium drones, tabla patterns, and the sharp percussive sting of hand-claps created a sonic foundation that both grounded and uplifted. The repetition—a hallmark of Qawwali—was used not as a tiresome refrain but as a means of elevating the listener, opening spaces in the mind for reverie. The decision to sit on the floor, close to the earth, as is traditional, added to the feeling that this was not simply entertainment, but an offering.

Visually and acoustically, the Royal Festival Hall served the music well. The sound was clean, the balance good; the audience, many visibly moved, responded with hushed reverence, breaking frequently into applause only when songs reached their apex. As a night of transcendence, this was one of the most pure and moving Qawwali performances I’ve seen in London. For any listener interested in the intersection of classical South Asian music, spirituality, and the power of the human voice—this was unforgettable.