Why is it important to preserve qawwali as an oral tradition?

Manjari Chaturvedi emphasized the need to safeguard qawwali as a cultural heritage, as these oral narratives can easily be lost over time.

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Qawwali Book Launch Sparks Celebration of Centuries-Old Tradition

Q: What is the 'Qawwali: The Call of Hearts in Love' book about?

The book, conceptualized and edited by Manjari Chaturvedi, aims to document the rich history and significance of the qawwali musical tradition.

11 Nov

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Summary

Manjari Chaturvedi launches book 'Qawwali: The Call of Hearts in Love'
Qawwali discussed as a spiritual and cultural heritage to be preserved
Filmmakers, admen, and diplomats attend the event

On November 11, 2025, the seventh edition of the Understanding Qawwali festival was held at the India International Centre, marking a double celebration. Manjari Chaturvedi, the founder of the Sufi Kathak Foundation and curator of the festival, launched her book 'Qawwali: The Call of Hearts in Love' at the event.

The evening saw the attendance of several prominent figures, including filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, adman Prahlad Kakar, political theorist Ashis Nandy, and diplomat Shyam Saran. Mehra shared his memories of listening to qawwali performances in Delhi and how the art form has been integral to Indian cinema, with composers like AR Rahman creating memorable qawwali pieces.

Manjari Chaturvedi spoke about her journey of researching and preserving qawwali, an oral tradition that is often consumed through various modern mediums. She emphasized the need to safeguard this cultural heritage for future generations, as these narratives can easily be lost. The book, conceptualized, compiled, and edited by Chaturvedi, aims to document the rich history and significance of qawwali.