American qawwal party Fanna-Fi-Allah kickstarted their Pakistan tour with a performance in Karachi, showcasing their rendition of the tradition of Sufi music. Led by Qawwal Tahir Faridi on harmonium, the group of nine includes tabla player Aminah Chishti and vocalist Salim Chishti. The group features six US-based and four Pakistani qawwals.
Addressing the audience before the performance, US Consul General Brian Heath introduced Fanna-Fi-Allah as ambassadors of Pakistani culture in the United States.
The qawwals sang six kalaams, beginning the show with Yeh Zameen Jab Na Thi Aasman Jab Na Tha. Fanna-Fi-Allah may be lauded for having performed with legends, such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but that doesn’t qualify them to be dubbed masters of Sufi tradition.
The group has been touring for more than 13 years, performing in the US, Pakistan, Europe, Indonesia, India, and Egypt. The group have also been performing at shrines in the subcontinent.
