Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Q A U L - by Wajahat Hussain Khan Qawwal


The melodious voice of Wajahat Husain Khan Badauni

I had been looking for Wajahat Hussain Khan Badauni for a while. Always wondered how the descendants of one of the greatest voices in qawwali (Jafar Husain Khan Badauni) could just disappear from public view.  I tried to ask people of his whereabouts but had no success. For those of you who do not know of him, Wajahat is the grandnephew of the late Qawwali Ustad Jafar Hussain Khasaheb of Badaun. I even asked Yousuf Saeed in Delhi, a Khusrau enthusiast, thinking that he would surely know. Yousuf had been to Badaun many years back and met Jafar saheb, however did not have any further information about the next generation of qawwals.

Then quite by coincidence, and to my delight, I was recently contacted by his young nephew Nadeem Khan who is a classical singer based in Delhi (cousin of Ustad Rashid Khan) and sent me this lovely CD. Nadeem and Wajahat are both from the Rampur Sehaswan Gharana and Wajahat Hussain Khan is the grandson and disciple of legendary Ustad Nissar Hussain Khansahab.

Born in Badaun, Wajahat was associated with Jafar sahab at an early age due to his keen interest in Sufi music and started performing regularly ever since. An experienced qawwal of 45 now, Wajahat is recognized by most in the qawwali fraternity for his musical prowess and understanding of 'gayaki'. His wonderfully melodious style is quite similar to that of his granduncle. Enjoy the music!

I am hoping that from all the qawwali lover out there all over the world, some will take an interest in Wajahat Hussain Khan Qawwal party and will host the singer. In sab ki hosla afzai karna ham sab pe farz hai. achhay sunnein waaley kay bhi kuchh faraez hotay hein aakhir.

11 comments:

Amima said...

Beautiful! thank you so much for posting this.

Dr Shaleen Kumar Singh said...

being a resident of Budaun I am proud to say that I have heard this great yet less known artist a number of times>>>> Good job by you that you brought this artist to light>>>.

lastoasis said...

Jafar Hussain Khansaheb's qawwali is my favorite of all the qawwali singers. i have 2 copies of his cassette tapes that I used to listen to all the time. I have been looking for the CD/digital version for the longest time. I have not been able to find it even in Lucknow - all the music stores these days carry the latest and the more popular stuff. I have been so disappointed by this. It is good to see that his tradition is being continued by Wajahat. Do you know if Jafar saheb is still in Badayun? I would like to meet him. Also do you know where I can get a digital version of his original music?

Tasawwuf said...

Unfortunately Jafar Hussain Khansaheb passed away a few years ago. He continues to be one of all time favs as well. I have some of his music that could share it with you if you send me your email.

Good wishes.

bhashabadaun said...

tasawwuf bhai it is very pleasent to know that u have much intrest in jafar husains gayki. in my childhood i have listed jafar saheb many time. he was not such a good classical singer but also a good human beings.it is bedluck of his thousands of fans that no one have any vedio of ustad in his family. i listned wajahat bhai in many ocasion. he also a good classical singer. learnd from jafar ustad he sings qawwali in his style. i think wajahat makes alive jafar ustad in his gaayki.
khalid riaz

Climbing a slippery mountain" said...

I am a great fan of Jaffar Hussain badauni saheb frankly .I owe my interest in Sufi music and quawwalli particularly because of his mesmerizing style of Quawalli gayki. I was in college when for the I first time bought a combination cassette of him and Warsi brothers released by TIMES music from Palika bazaar in New Delhi and there was no looking back . His voice is amazing for a quawalli singer no harshness just pure bliss .I am still the proud owner of his 4 CD combination still kept like treasure with me .I knew its difficult to maintain it and I didn't want to repeat the same mistake as their family members did by not having a single video of his performance....so I have uploaded all his quawallis on youtube. I love his singing a lot......thanx for having this beautiful forum for sufi lover ....all the best

Chintan Tyagi said...

I had the good fortune to hear Wajahat saheb live yesterday at Ibaadat a festival organized at Bahai Auditorium Delhi. I have not seen Ustad Jaffar live but could see the distinct style of his gharana being preserved.

It was an excellent performance.

MO said...

what Amima said. lovely photos. Jafar Hussain Khansaheb one of my favourite qawwals too. this is quite a find.

Moti Vyas said...

Can you kindly send me tracks of Late USTAD Jaffar hussain khan ? I shall be extremely grateful. vyasmoti@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi, Sorry to share this piece of news but ive been told that he passed away 2 months ago - was quite a shock as I'd watched him last year in Delhi and in particular remember his rendition of "bahaar" - some exquisite galaakari and yes.. some sharp reactions to his group..overall it was a very animated performance and now he is gone. Wonder if there is someone to take on the mantle after Wajahat.

Tasawwuf said...

Dear Ajith Vasudevan, Yes I did get the news on 16 Feb 2014 about two hours after he passed away in Mumbai. It was soon after a performance. He had some history of carido issues and that was finally the reason for his demise. I wish that he had taken more care of himself. However the Maker calls us back whenever he wishes.
Thank you for your kind words. I believe his young son will continue after him as he has been groomed since childhood.

Regards