Presented by Small World Music
In partnership with The Creative School Chrysalis

ISHQ Festival presents a rare and transformative experience: Mahabbat (محبّت)—a groundbreaking collaboration between Alim Qasimov, the legendary voice of Azerbaijani Mugham, and Sashar Zarif, internationally acclaimed choreographer and dance innovator.

In this first-of-its-kind production, centuries-old musical tradition meets embodied storytelling. Through Qasimov’s soul-stirring vocal improvisations and Zarif’s spiritually rooted movement, Mahabbat revives the ancient connection between Mugham and Sama, music and dance, devotion and longing. Supporting this dialogue is Qasimov’s long-standing Mugham Ensemble, whose musicians shape the sonic landscape through sensitive, live improvisation—breathing with the moment, in deep conversation with voice and body.

Not just a duet, but a dialogue—between voice and body, tradition and transformation.

Developed over two decades of creative exchange, Mahabbat (محبّت) reimagines tradition with emotional depth and physical poetry. As part of ISHQ Festival’s commitment to presenting intimate and contemplative art, this piece invites audiences into an atmosphere of beauty, memory, and inner movement.

Whether or not you are familiar with Mugham or contemporary dance, Mahabbat opens a space to feel, to reflect, and to witness love—in its most raw, reverent form.

Lead Collaborators: Alim Qasimov (Azerbaijan) & Sashar Zarif (Canada)
Produced & Directed by: Sashar Zarif
Cast: Six artists (Alim Qasimov and his Mugham Ensemble—four musicians—alongside Sashar Zarif

About the Artist:
Alim Qasimov
A living legend of Mugham, Alim Qasimov’s voice defies boundaries, carrying centuries of sacred tradition and raw emotion. Hailed as a master of vocal improvisation, his singing holds the weight of history while shaping Mugham as a living, breathing art form.

Qasimov has captivated audiences worldwide through his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet, and Jeff Buckley, bridging tradition and innovation across East and West. While his mastery has earned him a UNESCO Music Prize, his true legacy lies within his voice being passed down through devotion, and shaping future generations.

Sashar Zarif
An internationally award-winning choreographer, performer, and educator, Sashar Zarif has spent three decades redefining dance through Living Stories —his method of embodied cultural memory—and Dance of Mugham, a practice rooted in modal music and Sufi movement traditions. Having performed in more than 40 countries, his artistry bridges tradition and contemporary expression, earning him global recognition for his contributions to cultural dialogue, embodied storytelling, and the evolution of dance.

Zarif’s movement speaks the language of memory, with his journey taking him from Sufi lodges to classrooms and onto global stages. As a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Zarif’s legacy is woven in the stories and experiences he shares from body to body, across time.

Join us for an unforgettable evening that takes you on a journey of love, longing, and timeless spirit of Mugham.

“Zarif moves with great precision, speed, and transcendent intensity.”
— Dance International
“Mr. Qasimov is simply one of the greatest singers alive.”
– The New York Times

Doors open at 7:00 PM

Ishq Festival is funded in part by the Government of Canada