Qawalistan is a project of FACE that brings a blend of traditional Qawali and Western Rock ‘n’
Roll
music. This ecstatic fusion of East and West together underscores harmony and peace for
humanity.
Qawalistan’s repertoire includes century-old traditional Qawali and contemporary Western Rock,
bringing an unmatched and eclectic fusion from the current times.
Qawalistan believes in making friendships through music. Capitalizing on the power of Qawali with
Sufi lyrics and its enchanting fusion with World Music, the band aspires to spread peace and
inculcate harmony to enable more tolerant societies. Qawalistan’s compositions are celebratory
and
its performances are interactive and electrifying. The band connects with artists from around
the
world with the goal to investigate and share how well music connects hearts, mends
relationships,
and bring citizens, cultures, civilizations together.
The band’s Qawali influence is derived from the world’s renowned Qawali Maestro Aziz Mian and his
son Imran Aziz, lead vocalist for the band. Additionally, its music ascribes to underscore the
diversity of South Asian Qawali through compositions from great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sabri
bothers and several other maestros that are well-known and celebrated worldwide.
The Rock section of Qawalistan’s music draws influences from Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Jeff
Back. While Guitars and Drums serve as the backbone of its astoundingly rocking musical sets,
Qawalistan incorporates chord progressions and original Guitar-riffs in its songs. Its musical
arrangements have Rock and Jazz-styled fusion of Drums blended with Eastern percussion Dholak
and Tabla that fuels its power pack performances. The Bass Guitar lays out overall tempo, feed
the Harmonium and Vocal sections, and also put-forth mesmerizing improvisations with the
Vocalists and robust Qawali Clappers for starting, ending and the sum notes. Qawalistan’s
melodies reflect authentic Qawali traditions of the East encased in Classical ragas, while the
overall musical arrangement has an up-beat Rock countenance to it.
Qawalistan’s repertoire includes Hamd, Naat, Qawl, Manqabat, Ghazal, Kafi and Instrumental music.
The Instrumental numbers have separate Eastern Classical and Western Rock sections that
incorporate rich and heavy jamming of Lead and Bass Guitars with Drums and Percussion.
Each project culminates in a CD produced by FACE in collaboration with the Embassy of Poland in
Pakistan.
