The
qawwal brothers from Hyderabad – Nazeer Ahmed
Khan Warsi and Naseer Ahmed Khan Warsi with others belong
to the old Delhi Gharana of Hindustani music. The brothers
got their first lessons in music from their father Ustad
Zaheer Ahmed Khan and grandfather, Padmashri Aziz Ahmed
Khan. The family goes by the name of Qawwal Bachchon
ka Gharana. It traces its lineage to Hazrat Nizamuddin
Aulia and Hazrat Amir Khusrau, who are said to have
adapted Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s qawwali and
taught it to 12 initiates – or the first Qawwal
Bachche – to spread the spirit of Sufism. The
style of Warsi Brothers is best known for the purity
of raga, measured tones and taals – all distinctive
characteristics of this gharana. They are recognized
radio and television artistes of the traditional Sufiana
qawwali, thumri, and classical compositions. They have
performed all over India and at many prestigious festivals
all over the world.
