In the 13th Century Hazrat Yameenuddin Abul-Hasan Amir Khusrou – a Legendary Musician, Unparalleled Poet, Soldier, Sufi and a Philosopher – took upon him to train a group of 12 elite youngsters in the art of Qawali who later on called as Qawwal Bachchay Gharana of Delhi or Delhi Gharana. The prominent names of this Gharana and the imminent torchbearers of this mystical style of performance are Mian Saamat, AI-Haaj Meer Qutab Bukhsh alias Mian Tanrus Khansahab, Ghulam Ghous Khansahab and Haji Suleman Khansahab.
Ustad Qawal Bahauddin Khansahab – son of Haji Suleman Khansahab and maestro in the Khusrou tradition of Qawali – after enchanting the audience all over the world with his knowledge, voice and command on different styles of Qawwal has successfully transferred this spiritual art and style to his sons, namely Qawal Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers, who have demonstrated great sense of commitment in learning the Sufi’s poetic verses, vocal notes and instruments from their father and, apart from accompany him, are performing since 1993, under his guidance and blessings, at their own for general public, elites & government dignitaries. They are also benefited from other masters in the field including their Uncles and Cousins.
Apart from belonging to a prominent musical gharana, they all are educated and have command on presenting qawalis in various languages namely Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Saraiki, Birj Bhasha, Poorbi as well as in English.
They have regularly been invited by Government and Local departments to perform in their programmes as well as in seminars, festivals and symposiums specially arranged on specific occasions.
They have traveled abroad, including India, several times with their father as well as on their own name and have exhibited their art & command all over the world. In their 2005 India Tour the descendants of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia (Mehboob-e-Elahi) turbaned them, alongwith their father, in recognition of their family’s attachment with Silsilah of Hazrat Mehboob-e-Ilahi.
The Aga Khan Foundation-New Delhi recorded their classical Qawalis for safe-keeping, as reference and guide to Hazrat Amir Khusrou’s art of Qawali for researchers and scholars. They are being appointed as Cultural Ambassadors by Arts Midwest-USA and Global Union-USA. Also, Najmuddin, the eldest son of Qawal Bahauddin and now the Leader of group, is doing research work on eastern music specially qawwali, its history and background and wrote an article name Qawali-In the Light of History. In 1999 he was crowned, by the admirers, appreciators and lovers of this traditional and mystic art of qawali. In 2004 he was appointed as doyen in Chishti Sufi Order to carry on the spiritual sufi tradition and propagate its message of love, peace and humanity apart from his performances all over the world. Furthermore, during 2011 & 2012 USA Tours, apart from teaching qawali to the schools, colleges & universities students he gave Lectures and did Demonstrations, Workshops, Forums, Penal Discussions, Informances and JAM Sessions.
They have been recorded and interviewed by TV Channels in Pakistan & abroad, for references to the Mystic Music of the Sub-Continent, and have received various awards, medals & shields for their outstanding performances. Their Audio/Video Albums of Traditional Sufi Music/Qawali are receiving appreciation and applause from every segment of the listeners.
Ustad Qawal Bahauddin Khansahab Sons following their father’s footsteps, got fame around the globe in the Khusrou tradition of Qawwali and being belong to a prominent family of musicians are doing their level best to achieve the goal of perfection & excel in this field likewise their late father was.
