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A mahfil Sufi gathering in Karachi

World RoutesSongs of the Sufi Mystics

In the second of two programmes from this Sony Award-winning series, first broadcast on BBC World Service, Jameela Siddiqi visits a mahfil, a late-night Sufi gathering in a private home in Karachi.

In the second of two programmes from this Sony Award-winning series, first broadcast on BBC World Service, Jameela Siddiqi visits a mahfil, a late-night Sufi gathering in a private home in Karachi.

She hears multi-lingual qawwali and learns about the affect the music can have on the listener. As well as learning about the controversial relationship between music and Islam.

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45 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 Dec 200023:15
BBC Radio 3

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Music and featured items

  • Mahfil

    Jameela Siddiqi visits a Mahfil at a private home in Karachi.

    Duration: 08:28

  • Music played

    • Unknown

      Music from Mahfil

      • BBC Recording.

  • Multilingual qawwali

    We hear a qawwali where several languages are incorporated in the same song.

    Duration: 07:32

  • Music played

    • Unknown - unknown Qawwali

  • Structure of qawwali

    A performer explains the structure of a qawwali group and the use of instruments.

    Duration: 02:59

  • Qawwali based on Persian poem

    We hear a long qawwali based on a Persian poem about the love of God.

    Duration: 12:47

  • Music played

    • Unknown - a Persian poem about the love of God

  • The affects of qawwali

    A fan explains how qawwali affects him and the relationship between music and Islam.

    Duration: 07:42

  • Music played

    • Unknown - Qawwali from private gathering

Broadcast

  • Sun 31 Dec 200023:15
    BBC Radio 3

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