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.

Q A U L - an old recording - Manzoor Ahmed Khan Niazi

Manzoor Ahmed Niazi Qawwal brothers who came from the delhi qawwal bachaey gharana to karachi after partition and hail from Hyderabad Deccan recite this rendition of the QAUL. The party included brothers the late Bahauddin Khansaheb and Munshi Raziuddin saheb back in those days.

It is a pretty good recording considering its age. Around 7.30 mins it is particularly beautiful when they are start the brief tarana at "ham toum tananana, toum tananana
illahi ye jalsa kahan ho raha......."

In the end I found it left me wanting for more as the recording is sadly incomplete. Still it gives you a flavor of what it was like back then. Jazba barda buland tha!

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

Wiladat Hazrat Ali Murtaza

13th of Rajab is being remembered and celebrated as the (1347th) birthday of Hazrat Ali Murtaza -- Sahabi-e-Rasul, Imam, Khalifa-e-Rashidoon, scholar, statesman, and warrior. His numerous virtues and achievements, which need no introduction here, are beautifully captured in the following Man Kunto Maula rendition by Munshi Raziuddin, a fantastic composition which brings together Urdu and Persian couplets from various poets and saints.

Zahay izzo jalalay Bu Turabay fakhre insanay
Ali al-Murtaza mushkil kushaye shere Yazdanay

The honour and valour of Abu Turab is the pride of mankind
No doubt Ali al-Murtaza (AS), helper in the time of need, is the Lion of God.
— Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmed Qadri Chishti


Man Kunto Maula
by Munshi Raziuddin, Farid Ayaz, Abu Mohammand & Party:

[Performed at the residence of Mr. Mehdi Hasnain, Karachi, Pakistan, 1988].