B i o g r a p h y
SAAMI BROTHERS QAWWAL
Popularized by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, qawwali songs are based on the mystical poetry of Sufism. Working its way to ecstatic peaks with strong voices and percussive hand claps, this traditional devotional music seeks to transport musicians and audience members closer to the divine.
Comprising of four sons of the critically acclaimed Maestro Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, The Saami Brothers Qawwal is a six-member ensemble, considered one of the most accomplished qawwals today. They are humble custodians of the traditions of Qawwali and Khayaal of Hazrat Ameer Khusrau and Ustad Taanrus Khan Sahab and well-versed in several eastern classical genres.
Saami Brothers grew up in a family with rich heritage, referred to as Qawal Bachcha Delhi Gharana. The lineage of this gharana leads back around 800 years, all the way back to Saamat Bin Ibrahim, a principal student of Hazrat Ameer Khusro.
From an early age, they were blessed to have been taught the intricacies of classical art by late Ustad Munshi Raziuddin Khan, late Ustad Nizamuddin Saami, and Ustad Naseeruddin Saami.
Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami has been awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance awards for his efforts in keeping the classical tradition alive and closest to its original form.
MANZAR BHOPALI
Syed Ali Raza was born on 29 December 1959 in Bhopal, where he passed his childhood. He has a Master’s Degree in Urdu and began his poetic journey from Bhopal. A disciple of Raza Rampuri, he writes under the pen name, Manzar and is a very famous poet in mushairas. He has won many awards and has participated in the international mushaira of Karachi a number of times. Yeh Sadi Hamari Hai, Zindagi, Lahu Rang Mausam, Laawa, Manzar Ek Bulandi Par, and Udaas Kyu Hu are the collections of his works.
