Qawwali

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Qawwali is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional singing that originated in South Asia. Traditionally performed at Sufi shrines (dargahs) across the Indian subcontinent as part of spiritual gatherings, qawwali aims to invoke divine remembrance (dhikr), induce spiritual ecstasy (wajd), and draw the listener closer to Allah (God). Qawwali remains widely popular throughout Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Although qawwali has gained mainstream popularity since the late 20th century, its core remains rooted in Islamic mysticism (Sufism). Hindavi poet Amir Khusrau based the Qawwali on the Indian raga, with the musician singing "within the framework of the raga." As such, Qawwali is the result of "the Muslim-Hindu musical confluence that hybridized musical traditions in North India to various degrees over a millennium". Qawwali has had a long tradition of being sung a cappella, though several Indian musical instruments came to be incorporated, as well as those from outside the Indian subcontinent...

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