Lecture: An Introduction to Qawwali Music

Presented by Small World Music and the Aga Khan Museum

Join us for an audiovisual exploration into the world of Qawwali music!

Qawwali is the most popular Sufi devotional music from South Asia and, in recent years, has gained increased attention from worldwide audiences. Despite its popularity, upbeat rhythm and emotional appeal, qawwali's origins and lyrics are shrouded in mystery.

Join us Wednesday as Umair Jaffar explains the genre, explores its history and demystifies the hidden messages in its poetry.

Umair Jaffar is the CEO of Small World Music. Since immigrating to Canada in 2014, he has held curatorial roles at the Aga Khan Museum and Harbourfront Centre. Prior to his arrival in Canada, he was the CEO & Artistic Director of IPAC (Institute for Preservation of Art and Culture), a Pakistan-based non-profit social enterprise focused on developing sustainable solutions for preserving and promoting indigenous, folk, and traditional performing arts – the first of its kind in the country. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Pakistan to document sacred and spiritual music, with a focus on qawwali. He pursued his formal research in cultural anthropology and ethnomusicology on qawwali in contemporary Pakistani society at Oxford University.

Doors open at 7:30 PM.

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✨ The Art of Devotion

We’re excited to announce an immersive experience of South Asian music coming your way.

Things kick off in May, but be sure to head to the Small World Music website to get those tickets!

This performance is part of the Art of Devotion Series - an exploration of Qawwali music.

Don't miss the rest of the series:

May 15, 2024 | Small World Centre

Lecture: An Introduction to Qawwali Music

An audiovisual exploration into the world of Qawwali music

May 17, 2024 | Aga Khan Museum

Reflections on Khusrau and Kabir: Featuring Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and Ramneek Singh

An evening of music and poetry as we explore the rich legacy of Hazrat Amir Khusrau and Saint Kabir Das.

May 18, 2024 | The Creative School Chrysalis (TMU Theatre)

Saami Brothers Qawwali

An evening of powerful Sufi voices & rhythms with Saami Brothers Qawwali group.

These performances are part of the Art of Devotion Series - an exploration of Qawwali music, presented by Small World Music, the Aga Khan Museum and The Creative School Chrysalis.

Thank you to our Community Partners Virasat and The Tawoos Initiative.

The 2024 Small World Music Series is sponsored by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and funded by the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Small World Centre, 180 Shaw Street, Toronto, Canada