Qawwali's Hidden Hindu Roots Revealed

The Koshala Literature Festival recently featured a session with Kathak exponent Manjari Chaturvedi, shedding light on the rich and often overlooked history of Qawwali. Chaturvedi dispelled the myth that Qawwali is exclusively tied to a single religion or language, emphasizing its performance in Hindi, Awadhi, and other tongues. She presented evidence of ancient Qawwalis dedicated to Hindu deities, including Lord Krishna and Ganesha, citing 'Sanatani Qawwali' and 'Ganga Arti Qawwali' from as early as a century ago.

Chaturvedi's extensive 14-year research aims to formally document Qawwali's origins and diverse applications. She pointed to Sufi traditions in places like Kakori, where saints composed verses in devotion to Lord Krishna, with their compositions still sung today. This contrasts with modern interpretations, particularly in Hindi cinema, which often reduce Qawwali to mere entertainment, obscuring its profound spiritual significance.

The Kathak dancer advocated for recognizing Qawwali as a spiritual art form rather than just a musical genre for entertainment. She called for academic documentation and copyright protection for Qawwals whose work is frequently utilized by the film industry. Chaturvedi believes Qawwals themselves should be given the platform to perform their music in films, preserving the art's integrity and cultural heritage.