Rajasthan: Urs festival celebrates the spirit of Qawwali

The Urs festival is an annual festival held at Ajmer, which commemorates the death anniversary of Moinuddin Chishti, featuring night-long Qawwali singing which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India and abroad. It is believed that 'Kalam' read in praise of Allah gradually took the form of Qawwali.

Ajmer: Music has always been mankind's companion as humans have sung during times of happiness, distress, celebration, and devotion.

Devotional songs throughout generations have given hope, strength, and serenity to mortal beings and among them all, Qawwali holds an exclusive place.

Qawwali is Sufi devotional music performed mostly at Sufi shrines or dargahs throughout South Asia.

Revered Sufi saint, Moinuddin Chishti's love for Qawwali is the reason why Ajmer Sharif Dargah has been witnessing its soulful music especially during the time of Urs festival.

The Urs festival is an annual festival held at Ajmer which commemorates the death anniversary of Moinuddin Chishti. The festival lasts for six days featuring night-long Qawwali singing which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India and abroad.

It is believed that 'Kalam' read in praise of Allah gradually took the form of Qawwali.

Spiritual Head of Dargah Ajmer sharif Gaddinashin Syed Fakhar Kazmi told ETV Bharat, "When Moinuddin Chishti came to Ajmer, residents of Rajasthan celebrated every happy occasion via music, then eventually people began reading 'Kalam' along with musical instruments which is how Qawwali started."

Qawwali is sung in three ways. Firstly, 'Hamd' is sung to praise Allah. Secondly, 'Na'at' is performed in praise of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad and thirdly 'Qaul' is sung in praise of Maula- E -Kainat.

Kazmi remarked that Qawwalis connect humans with the supreme power leaving listeners in a state of mystical ecstasy.

While Qawwalis are intoned at the Dargah every day, special traditional Qawwalis reverberate the shrine on the occasion of the Urs festival.

Hundreds of known Qawwali musicians hold the desire to present their talent at Dargah and those who perform there on a regular basis are known as Royal Qawwals.

Urs festival is celebrated for six days in the 7th month of Islamic Lunar Calendar- Rajab. This year, the first Rajab was held on the night of February 25-26, and 6th Rajab will be held on March 1-2.