Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers deliver a soul-stirring qawwali masterclass across the UK

Qawwali remains popular with cross-cultural audiences, but very few get the chance to experience one of the world’s oldest music genres in its purest form. Whether it is the diluted style seen in Bollywood adaptations or fusion with contemporary sounds, the tradition is often watered down.

Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers Qawwali Group stand apart from that commercialised crowd, presenting the Sufi genre in its most authentic style. The five talented brothers – sons of the late qawwali icon Ustad Bahauddin Khan Qawwal – belong to a remarkable lineage that traces directly back to the first group formed by the genre’s founding father in the 13th century.

Currently on a UK tour, the group delivered a stunning stage performance that confirmed their brilliance. Unlike most qawwali ensembles that rely on one or two lead singers, all five brothers took turns leading, gracefully exchanging vocal passages to produce a timeless, mesmerising sound. The power, passion and grace of their high-energy performance shone through as they delivered beloved classics such as QaulQalbana, Rang and Naat Shareef. The concert opened in high gear and gained momentum with each composition, before culminating in a thunderous rendition of Mast Qalandar.

They also performed khayal and tarana-style qawwalis, alongside pieces deeply rooted in mysticism. Accompanied by a superb percussionist, their sound remained untouched by modern influences, yet felt completely relevant and accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Their tour continues across the UK until mid-July, and they are certain to keep transporting audiences back in time through a forward-looking, spiritually rich performance – the kind few qawwali acts worldwide can deliver. The only downside? The show had to end. It felt as though the group were just getting started – they could have easily played for several more hours.

Full tour details on www.sama.co.uk.