Copy of About Fanna-fi-Allah

BIOGRAPHY

Fanna-Fi-Allah hold the flame of traditional Sufi Qawwali music, with the blessings of their teachers; some of the greatest masters of the qawwali form in India and Pakistan. The group's founding members have spent over 20 years learning this classical art, which celebrates the great Sufi mystics of old and relishes in the love of the Divine through poetry. Sung with a powerful soaring chorus and accompanied by the energetic rhythms of tabla and group clapping, the Beloved is celebrated with ecstatic devotion.

Fanna-Fi-Allah have been blessed to play qawwali in its traditional setting at the honoured tombs of sufi saints in Pakistan and India, where qawwali originates. These include the sacred shrines of: Data Ganj Baksh (Lahore), Baba Ganj-e-Shakar (Pak Pattan), Baba Bulleh Shah (Kasoor), Baba Lasuri Shah (Faislabad) and in India at the tombs of Khwaja Nizzam-Ud-Deen Aulia, Amir Khusrau, Pir Inayat Khan (Delhi), & Khwaja Mueen-Ud-Deen Chishty (Ajmer).

During their 19 years of world-wide touring, they have offered audiences a unique glimpse into this rich and vibrant culture; playing at many international festivals and concerts in major cities. They have enthralled audiences in the USA, Canada, Pakistan, Europe, Indonesia, India, Egypt (etc) with their dynamic skill and passionate musical precision. With ten albums already published, Fanna-Fi-Allah now offer us an even deeper glimpse into this Sufi world of Pakistan with the production of their new documentary: Music of the Mystics.

MEMBERS

Tahir Hussain Faridi Qawwal
the group leader & manager, studies under vocal masters Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Pandit Pashupatinath Mishra, Ustad Sher Ali Khan, and Ustad Muazzam Ali Khan. He has honed his amazing harmonium skills with Rahat Ali, the first student of Ustad Faruk Fateh Ali Khan. When not on tour, Tahir teaches vocal music & harmonium within the traditional raaga system. He also sings Thumri, Khayal, Kafi & Heer. Check out www.tahirqawwal.com for other projects.

Aminah Chishti Qawwal has been a leading force in the art of traditional qawwali tabla. A student of the great Ustad Dildar Hussain Khan, Aminah was formally initiated by her teacher in 2003. She has changed the boundaries of women in Pakistan by performing at the shrines of Pakistan's greatest sufi saints where women haven't traditionally been allowed to play. Check out her Blog @ http://amnachi.weebly.com/

Laali Qalandar has been a key member of Fanna-fi-Allah since 2001. He is a passionate & talented vocalist who has travelled several times with the group to Pakistan and India, as well as studying alongside Tahir with the current qawwali masters.

Salim Chishty is well known for his purity of pitch & gamak taans. As well as studying with the qawwali greats, he has also honed his classical vocal skills through years of study with the famous dhrupad singers – The Gundecha Brothers.

Ali Shan has a qawwali clap & chorus that can travel from one village to another. He has a deep devotion to the group. He also studies the rabab with Ustad Humayoun Sakhi of Afghanistan.

Jahangir Baba has been in the ensemble for more than 15 years. As well as singing qawwali, he is also deeply involved in the genres of Bhajan & Ghazal.

abrar2+(1) (1).jpg — ABRAR HUSSAIN

Vocal & Clapping

Abrar Hussain hails from Lahore, Pakistan and is the oldest son of the living legend Ustad Dildar Hussain. His adds powerful giras to the music, enriching the poetic content of each kalam. He leads his own qawwali ensemble in Pakistan during the Fanna off season called - Ustad Dildar Hussain & Abrar Hussain.

Aziz Abbatiello is a whirling dervish living in between San Francisco and Turkey, active in the Mevlani Sufi Order. He trains under Postneshin Jelaluddin Loras, Pir of the Mevlevi Order of America. He also studies with Sheikh Sherif Baba, head of the Rifai Marufi Order. He moved into deep trance in with Fanna-fi-Allah’s music, expressing the connection to the divine through dance.