Presented by Small World Music and the Aga Khan Museum
In partnership with Frames Per Second

In an unbroken chain spanning over 800 years, a form of music has inspired, entranced, and enlightened people. Presented by Small World Music and the Songs of the Sufi takes viewers on a musical and artistic journey that catalogues traditional qawwali, the mystical music tradition of the Indian Subcontinent associated with 13th-century Sufi seminaries, which is enjoyed globally today.

The story unfolds through the perspectives of two families — a lifelong qawwali enthusiast who grew up immersed in the music, his mother, a Sufi disciple who fondly recalls listening to qawwali as a teenager in India, and a family of qawwali singers who have carried the tradition for 25 generations.

The film weaves together live performances, the mystical use of secret syllables, and odes written as far back as the 13th century, blending them with modern compositions to create a meditative audio-visual journey. Dr. Katherine Schofield, a renowned musicologist, offers her scholarly insights, while the narrative explores the history, culture, etiquette, and the universal message of love that lies at the heart of qawwali.

Produced by:
Kamran Moin Anwar took a year-long sabbatical from his finance career to create Songs of the Sufi, driven by his passion for qawwali and his desire to preserve the classical roots of qawwali and educate others about the lesser-known nuances of this spiritual music genre. Before this endeavour, he directed Rung, a widely acclaimed collection of traditional qawwali CDs featuring extensive insights into the genre, performers, and Qawwali translations, each amassing over 5 million YouTube views. He also researched and narrated Hidden Gems of Lahore, a Destinations Media series uncovering Lahore’s unique historic sites. He is a frequent speaker on art and culture and is an avid collector of miniature paintings, Indian silver, and contemporary Pakistani art.

Directed by:
Shahrukh Waheed is a producer and filmmaker currently based in Karachi, Pakistan. His work explores the human condition through the intricacies of transference and tools of visual storytelling. He holds a BSc in Media Studies and an M.A. in Digital Film Production from the University of Bedfordshire. His work has been featured at NYFF, TIFF, and nominated for the Daytime Emmy Awards.

Ishq Festival is funded in part by the Government of Canada