Old Qawwali's Echo: New Song's Viral Success

The song "Ishq Jalakar - Karvaan" from the film Dhurandhar is achieving significant popularity, resonating with audiences through its deep historical roots. This contemporary hit is inspired by the iconic 1960 qawwali "Na Toh Karvan Ki Talash Hai" from Barsaat Ki Raat, a composition by Roshan with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. The original track was celebrated for its expansive structure and profound spiritual depth, featuring legendary singers like Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle.

The legacy of "Na Toh Karvan Ki Talash Hai" extends further back, having been inspired by a 1950 qawwali by Pakistani artists Mubarak Ali and Fateh Ali Khan, father of the renowned Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This lineage underscores "Ishq Jalakar - Karvaan's" place within a long-standing cultural and musical tradition. The recent film's soundtrack, including this song, is now a topic of widespread discussion, proving that substantial musical pieces continue to capture public attention.

For Dhurandhar, composer Shashwat Sachdev reinterpreted this classic, blending Sahir Ludhianvi's original lyrics with new ones by Irshad Kamil and updating the arrangement for modern cinema. The new version embraces layered vocals and contemporary rhythms while preserving the original's emotional core. Its success has sparked renewed interest in the evolution of qawwali in Hindi cinema, suggesting a public appetite for music with historical substance.