ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE MIAMI MEDIA BLOG
Miami Media has released two beautiful recitations by Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan that effortlessly captures the peace and tranquillity of Islam.
The devotional recitation practised in Pakistan has many memorable performances in Urdu paired with Arabic verses that describe the beauty and glory of Islam. Our Hamd is a way to express love for Allah. The legacy of devotional prayer in the form of the song started centuries ago and has, since then, been travelling through time as a way to connect to the global love shared by all Muslims. We have a long legacy of powerful Sufi performers that include Aziz Mian, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pathanay Khan, The Sabri Brothers and Abida Parveen that have inspired generations of singers to dedicate themselves to the act of spiritual performance. The electrifying Qawalli has pierced through the hearts of many South Asian listeners and inspired audiences around the world. The tradition of Hamd and Naat has been part of Pakistan since its creation, as there are many Urdu poets who dedicated themselves to writing about their love for Islam.
Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan is one of these dedicated musicians who has been performing live on national and internal stages across the globe, representing his family’s musical heritage. Carrying forth the torch of spiritual performance, his technical abilities to deliver soul and rhythm have inspired young musicians and audiences alike. His family has contributed to the tradition of singing for more than 500 years. Even though he has entertained audiences with glamorous showbiz tunes packed with energised stage performances, his devotional pieces are simple and pure. He remains true to his musical passions and versatility in music. His spiritual performance in Allah Ho and Ya Nabi shows a gentler and devout side of him where he lowers his head in remembrance and composes himself by only offering his voice to the recitation. As an act of prayer, we see Ustad Rafaqat raise his hands in the video looking up to the heavens while performing.
In Allah Ho and Ya Nabi there is subtle instrumentation and minimal composition that only accompanies the words of the Kalam. The soft daf, bendir, zarb, rebana can be heard in the background without interfering with the vocals. The performance feels natural and poetic as Ustad Rafaqat Ali delivers a calming and graceful vocal performance that is intimate, heartfelt and sincere. We are moved by his powerful voice as it glides over aerial scenes of Mecca, the wonderful landscapes and sky scenes. These natural scenes move back and forth between his performance that keeps us feeling close to the message. The Grand Jamia Mosque Lahore can be seen in the video with its grand exterior and magnificent interior in both Allah Ho and Ya Nabi. It was designed by legendary Pakistani architect Nayyar Ali Dada and stands as the fourteenth largest mosque in the world with a capacity of 70,000 worshippers! The marvellous architecture that paints the backdrop of the performance feels rooted in our local culture and identity. Having visited this mosque myself, I can assure you that the space is breathtaking. The gorgeous archways and vast open spaces are a relief from the busy metropolis.
As the words of Ya Nabi and Allah Ho paint the air of the mosque, we are shown the interior with Ustad Rafaqat at the centre of the space. The presence of worshipers and prayers is felt throughout the performance. As the golden hour sets on the horizon, the teal water in the background feels serene. The handcrafted tile art and brick motifs are iconic to Lahore’s heritage echoing centuries of devotion rooted in the city. The recitation and visuals together leave the listener in a restful state. Ustad Rafqats devotion to The Prophet (PBUH) and message of Islam helps the listener tune out the world and heal their heart, mind and soul. The act of worshipping has been known to help alleviate stress, remove anxiety and provide essential relief from worldly pressures of daily life. Ustad Rafaqat Ali Khan offers a chance to transport yourself to a peaceful place through his performance. In our busy lives, the chance to feel close to nature becomes less frequent but through these songs, we are able to take a break and reconnect with the spirit of Islam.
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