Development of Qawwali in Awadh Region of India

Abstract

Qawwali, a group song performance that inspires and elevates the Sufis in their mystical experiences is unique to South Asia, sung in a variety of languages and dialects. Awadh, a cultural region in the heart of Uttar Pradesh in north India has had a rich history of literature, music and performing arts that evolved over centuries through the meeting of many civilizations. Qawwali is one such rich tradition that evolved in Awadh region in many khaneqahs or Sufi hospices all over the region, which were established by Sufis who arrived from Central Asia to settle here. This paper explores some centres of qawwali and Sufi poetry in Awadh region, such as Ayodhya, Kichhauchha, Dewa, Jaunpur, Lucknow and Bahraich etc., besides Rohilkhand, that still boast of many Sufi masters who promoted qawwali and allowed a unique regional style to emerge here.