Bali Spirit Festival 2025

Ilahi Sufi Qawwali is the world’s first all-female traditional Qawwali ensemble, offering audiences a profound glimpse into the timeless musical heart of Sufi mysticism. Guided by their teacher, Tahir Qawwali, an internationally acclaimed Qawwali artist and the only non-South Asian qawwal in the lineage of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Bakshi Salamat, the women of Ilahi are rigorously trained in the deeply traditional Doaba style of Qawwali, which features group vocals, two harmoniums, and Qawwali tablas. The ensemble emerged as part of the Sama School of Music, the largest global network for studying classical and Sufi music traditions from India and Pakistan. At Sama, Ilahi undergoes intensive, traditional training that demands hours of practice and deep immersion into the poetic and musical roots of this genre. Though they are only four years into their rigorous journey, their vision is to inspire and empower future generations of women to carry forward the legacy of Qawwali with devotion and authenticity. Ilahi Sufi Qawwali’s creation was sparked by dialogues between Tahir and his teachers during the making of the groundbreaking documentary Qawwali – Music of the Mystics. The film, the only comprehensive exploration of the tradition, includes a section on women’s contributions to Sufi music. Encouraged by his teachers, Tahir envisioned a group where women could finally voice the poetic and spiritual heritage of Qawwali. While women have long been involved in other forms of Sufi music, Ilahi is the first to perform Qawwali in its full, traditional ensemble format. Rooted in lineage, discipline, and love for the Sufi saints’ poetry, Ilahi Sufi Qawwali carries forward a tradition nearly a thousand years old. Their presence at Jeshna e Rekhta is a historic moment, symbolizing not only a breakthrough in tradition but also a step toward expanding the accessibility of this sacred art form to a wider, more inclusive audience.