DiverseCity: Mehr Ali and Sher Ali Qawwali ensemble

Qawwali is an energetic musical performance of Sufi Muslim poetry that leads listeners to a state of spiritual peace. The roots of Qawwali can be traced back to eighth-century Persia, with its current form similar to 13th century renditions. The performance emphasises poetic texts that usually deal with topics of divine love, the sorrow of separation and mystic union. Qawwali texts cover Arabic and Persian, but the main text is usually in Indian languages such as Urdu, Hindi, Purbi and Punjabi. Pakistani brothers Mehr Ali and Sher Ali will perform the Qawwali.