LONDON, Apr 11: One of India’s well-known qawwals, the Warsi Brothers, will begin a debut tour of the UK next week that will take in 10 cities and include an educational programme of qawwali workshops.
‘Mystic Voices Tradition: In Praise of Khusrau’ will bring traditional Sufi qawwali to audiences in the UK, starting with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London on Wednesday.
The tour, which covers West Bromwich, Nottingham, Leeds, Southampton, Manchester, Leicester, Bristol, Cambridge and Bradford, has been organised by UK-based South Asian arts organisations SAMA and Indus Music.
“The Warsi Brothers’ contribution places a spotlight on India’s long-standing role as a centre of classical and devotional arts,” said Jay Visvadeva, artistic director of SAMA.
“Their powerful performances, rich vocals, and mastery of classical compositions have made them central figures in the preservation of this art form. Their qawwali performances reflect a tradition rooted in the teachings of Sufism, where music is a form of devotion and spiritual expression,” he said.
Trained under their grandfather, Padma Shri Aziz Ahmad Khan Warsi, the Hyderabad-based Warsi brothers are recognised for representing the classical rigour and devotional depth of the Delhi Gharana.
Naseer Ahmed Khan Warsi and Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi were honoured at the prestigious Aga Khan Music Awards 2025, when the jury recognised the brothers for their “energetic preservation and onward transmission of the spiritual and musical legacy of Amir Khusrau to multigenerational audiences at the highest level of musical excellence”.
“This recognition also comes at a time when traditional music faces challenges from rapid modernisation. Artists like the Warsi brothers help bridge the past and present by presenting authentic, high-quality performances on national and international stages. Their work ensures that qawwali remains vibrant and relevant for younger generations,” stated SAMA.
The UK tour, which runs until May 10, is expected to spotlight the musical genre of qawwali as being closely linked to the Hindustani classical tradition of the Asian subcontinent. (PTI)
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