• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • REVIEWS
    • TRAILERS
  • BUSINESS
  • CELEBRITIES
  • HOLLYWOOD
  • REGIONAL
  • TV
  • MUSIC
  • TOP LISTS

Bollywood Presents

Exotic locations where popular Bollywood movies were shot

You are here: Home / Music / Qawwali Sufi Music for Dummies, Top 25 Bollywood Sufi Songs for Your Playlist

Qawwali Sufi Music for Dummies, Top 25 Bollywood Sufi Songs for Your Playlist

September 25, 2015 by BollywoodPresents Team

Bollywood qawwalis & sufi music songsIn the age of Bollywood, Pop, EDM music, there are still several takers for Sufi music. Until a few years back, singers like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Reshma were the singers most associated with sufi songs, but in recent times a few more singers have emerged with singers like Shankar Mahadevan & Mika Singh giving a more contemporary spin to this ethereal genre.

Origins of Qawwali

Though people love listening to this form of music, there are many who think that Qawwali is different from Sufi Music. However that’s not true.

So is there no difference at all between Qawwali and Sufi music?

No, especially if you read about its origins!

Here’s a brief guide on Qawwali & sufi Music for dummies 🙂

What is Qawwali?
Qawwali is considered to be the artistic expressions of the Sufi’s, who are considered the mystic sect of Islam. Its a form of Sufi devotional music that’s more popular in South Asia, especially in Pakistan, India & Bangladesh.

Qaul (Arabic) is an “utterance (of the prophet)”, Qawwal is someone who often repeats (sings) a Qaul, Qawwali is what a Qawwal sings.

The word ‘Sama’ is still used in Central Asia, especially Turkey, to refer to music forms very similar to Qawwali. In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the formal name used for a music session of Qawwali is known as ‘Mehfil-e-Sama’.

How Did it Reach South Asia?
The roots of Qawwali can be traced back to 8th century Persia (today’s Iran and Afghanistan). During the first major migration from Persia, in the 11th century, the musical tradition of Sama (rituals that included singing, playing instruments, dancing, recitation of poetry and prayers, wearing symbolic attire) migrated to South Asia, Turkey and Uzbekistan. More on Wikipedia…

Contribution of Amir Khusro
Delhi’s sufi saint Amir Khusro (one of the most versatile personalities of medieval India and an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent) is credited with fusing the Persian and Indian musical traditions to create the Qawwali as we know it today.

Sufi is NOT a Style of Music
So basically, contrary to what many believe, Sufi music is actually not a style of music. Its the lyrics that makes a song sufi. Over the years however, in Bollywood, the music and lyrics of Sufi music have undergone changes, the most significant change being that the spiritual love (of god) has been replaced with romantic love.

The lyrics are usually about the almighty…but seeing your beloved in the almighty or the almighty in your beloved, though its primarily about spreading love.

Purists may moan that the Bollywood Sufi songs are a far cry from its truest form, but then that’s what Bollywood is about; it does adopt many things as per the needs of the audience.

Top Bollywood Qawaali / Sufi Songs

One thing is for certain, Sufi music in Bollywood films is here to stay, and its only getting more melodious. Here are some of the most popular Qawaali / Sufi songs form Bollywood that you must have on your playlist:

Khwaja Mere Khwaja – Jodhaa Akbar


From the movie ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, the song is composed and sung by A.R. Rahman. This song is perhaps the most Sufi, compared to other songs, with its reverence for the almighty.

Kun Faya Kun – Rockstar


Shot at the Nizamuddin Dargah, the song is composed by A.R. Rahman, and sung by A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan.

Piya Haji Ali – Fiza


Filmed at the Haji Ali Dargah in South Mumbai, this is another super song composed by A.R.Rahman, its from the movie ‘Fiza’. The song is sung by A.R. Rahman, Kadar Ghulam Mushtafa, Murtaza Ghulam Mushtafa and Srinivas.

Kabira (yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)


Music composed by Pritam and sung by Tochi Raina & Rekha Bhardwaj.

Maula Mere Maula – Anwar


Sung by Roop Kumar Rathod, this beautiful number is from the movie ‘Anwar’.

Arziyan – Delhi 6


The song evokes the charm of Old Dilli, the Jama Masjid-Nizamuddin Dargah. Sung by Javed Ali and Kailash Kher, music by A.R. Rahman.

Mann Ki Lagan – Paap


Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, nephew of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. From the John Abraham-Udita Goswami starrer ‘Paap’. This was Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s debut song in Bollywood as playback singer.

Jiya Dhadak Dhadak – Kalyug


Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, this romantic number is from the movie ‘Kalyug’ featuring Kunal Khemu & Smilie Suri.

Saaiyaan – Heroine


From the movie ‘Heroine’, this sung was sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and music composition was done by Salim-Sulaiman.

Tu Jaane Na – Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani


Music composed by Pritam, there are three versions of the song, sung by Kailash Kher, Atif Aslam and Soham Chakraborty respectively.

Related Posts:

  • Top Music Instrument Dealers in India
  • Mungda remake in Total Dhamaal upsets legendary…
  • Eid Mubarak 2019: Top 10 Bollywood Eid Songs from…
  • YouTube hits back at Critics, paid $1 billion to the…

Filed Under: Music

RELATED POSTS

Gauri Khan: The Business Woman Emerges

Films were never a passion for the star wife, and being a mother and wife were far more important to her. Gauri Khan, the reluctant star wife, who looked happy to be away from the limelight, seems to have come into her own now. Here’s a peek into her business. Gauri Khan the Business Woman […]

Bollywood Celebrities & Film Shoots in San Francisco, California

San Francisco, home to the popular Golden Gate Bridge, is also one of the richest cities in the world and home to several billionaires. Its said that large portions of the famous ‘The Godfather Trilogy’ script (several Bollywood filmmakers have been inspired by these films) was written here by Francis Ford Coppola. Here we take […]

Croatia

Dubrovnik Tourist Board’s Tourism Promo Film Wins Praise All Over the World

Dubrovnik Tourist Board’s film ‘Dubrovnik and Time’, produced by BALDUCI FILM (Zagreb based studio), is getting rave reviews from around the world (and has also won several tourism awards). Dubrovnik is a very popular tourist destination in Croatia, and this video gives a very respectable presentation of Dubrovnik. You can see the breathtaking views in […]

World’s Best Airlines for Business Class Revealed

When you talk about business class, till some time back, a big seat, good legroom, easy access to the aisle, cocktails and upgraded meals were something that you could expect. But with competition getting fierce, airlines started offering more to their customers as part of the new ‘Business Class’ (and some of these ‘old’ options […]

Top Film / Video Post Production Services in India

Once the film is shot, it goes through post-production where the film is edited, colour corrected/graded, and enhanced to make it sleek. These are the top Film / Video Post Production Services where most Bollywood movies and other regional films go under the knife. Famous Studios Ltd. 20 Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra […]

Akshay Kumar Twinkle Khanna

Bollywood Star Celebrities Who Made It Pretty Much On Their Own

Bollywood Star Celebrities who made it pretty much on their own. In an industry where every other day you hear a celebrity star kid being launched, these guys and girls actually wrote their own success stories. Everybody talks about Bollywood being a highly competitive (at times brutal) industry, where everybody would make you believe that […]

arunachal pradesh

Breathtaking Locales of India’s Northeast Still Untapped, Say Bollywood Filmmakers

India’s Northeast region is home to several breathtaking locales, however, that beauty has still not been tapped feel Indian filmmakers, who now wish to showcase the region’s breathtaking locales for their upcoming films. When you talk about North East’s connection with Bollywood, two things come to the mind – Danny Dengzongpa, and Rajesh Khanna’s love […]

Top 10 Highest Paid TV Actors of Indian Television

Here we take a look at some of the highest paid actors (male and female) working in the hindi television industry. Some of the bigger names on Indian television are seen even in Bollywood movies nowadays, so they are the stars of the television industry. Some times back, we had written an article on the […]

Shah Rukh Khan on business

Shahrukh says Amar Akbar Anthony was also a nonsensical film when it was released

Jaya Bachchan found SRK’s Happy New Year to be nonsensical, SRK reverts saying Amar Akbar Anthony was also considered a nonsensical film when it was released, even though its considered a classic today. Post the release of Shah Rukh Khan’s movie ‘Happy New Year’, we had posted an article on whether SRK was losing his […]

Kochi-Muziris Biennale: International Contemporary Art Exhibition Puts India in the Global Map

Its common to see large contemporary art exhibitions held in places like Venice, Istanbul and Berlin. However, even India now has a reason to smile because of the resounding cultural success of its international contemporary art festival – the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (the word ‘Biennale’ means its held every two years), which was held in Fort […]

Primary Sidebar

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

RECENT POSTS

movie trailers

Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming Entertainers for 2021

Want to know when the next entertainer of your favorite star is going to be released? Want to plan … [Read More...] about Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming Entertainers for 2021

National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC)

Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

Movies are one of the most influential tools of communication and society does learn a few things or … [Read More...] about Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

bollywood rapes

Representation of women in Bollywood Films

Women in Bollywood films have been subject to stereotypes and objectification, and appeared in … [Read More...] about Representation of women in Bollywood Films

Music Scene in Saudi Arabia

How's the music Scene in Saudi Arabia. Is it really frowned upon? Read more here. Young musicians in … [Read More...] about Music Scene in Saudi Arabia

Shabana Azmi

Shabana Azmi: One of the finest actors of Indian cinema

Shabana Azmi, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) of Pune, made her film … [Read More...] about Shabana Azmi: One of the finest actors of Indian cinema

war movie

Here’s how much Hrithik Roshan was paid for his 2019 hit film ‘War’

Hrithik Roshan is a superstar in Bollywood and is among the highest paid actors in the film … [Read More...] about Here’s how much Hrithik Roshan was paid for his 2019 hit film ‘War’

sooryavanshi movie

Bollywood facing losses of 5000+ crore due to pandemic lockdown

Almost everybody associated with the film industry is despondent about the future. With COVID-19 … [Read More...] about Bollywood facing losses of 5000+ crore due to pandemic lockdown

Money Scandals

Indian film celebrities caught in Tax Controversies

In Bollywood and other film industries in India, there's a saying that "there's no business like the … [Read More...] about Indian film celebrities caught in Tax Controversies

celebrity endorsements

It’s 2020 and Bollywood is still obsessed with fair skin

Makers of the upcoming movie 'Khaali Peeli', starring Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter, are facing … [Read More...] about It’s 2020 and Bollywood is still obsessed with fair skin

Kangana Ranaut's pali hill office

BMC demolish illegal constructions by Bollywood actors & filmmakers

BMC begins the demolition of illegal alterations to Kangana Ranaut's office in Bandra. The … [Read More...] about BMC demolish illegal constructions by Bollywood actors & filmmakers

Amazon Fashion

Useful Read

  • Who coined the term ‘Bollywood’?
  • Dadasaheb Phalke (Father of Indian Cinema)
  • Evolution of Hindi Films
  • Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

Footer

Upcoming Bollywood Movies

  • Love Aaj Kal Movie
  • Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele Movie
  • Hawayein Movie
  • Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Movie
  • The Hundred Bucks Movie
  • BHOOT: Part One – The Haunted Ship Movie
  • Haunted Hills Movie
  • 'O' Pushpa I Hate Tears Movie
  • Guns Of Banaras Movie
  • Thappad Movie

Bollywood Movie Reviews

  • Malang Review
  • Jawaani Jaaneman Review
  • Panga Review
  • Street Dancer 3D Review
  • Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior Review
  • Chhapaak Review
  • Good Newwz Review

Top Celebs

  • Ajay Devgn
  • Kajol
  • Saif Ali Khan
  • Shraddha Kapoor
  • Varun Dhawan
  • Deepika Padukone
  • Kangana Ranaut
  • Tabu
  • Aditya Roy Kapur
  • Disha Patani
  • Rajinikanth

About Us

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in