Fri Apr 25 20:50:22 UTC 2025: ## Warsi Brothers Captivate Puducherry Audience with Soulful Qawwali Performance
**Puducherry, April 26, 2025** – The 11th annual Remembering Veenapani Festival concluded Saturday night with a mesmerizing Qawwali performance by the Warsi Brothers, a renowned Hyderabad-based duo. Their two-hour concert at Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research captivated the audience with a vibrant display of Sufi devotional music.
Naseer and Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi, custodians of the Delhi gharana’s Khayali tradition and descendants of Amir Khusro’s disciples, delivered a performance described as “a concert for the ages.” Accompanied by a large ensemble, their performance blended poetry, music, and mysticism, showcasing the unique Delhi gharana style, which uniquely embraces Qawwali as a legitimate art form.
The brothers’ repertoire included classic pieces like “Aley Nabi” by Amir Khusro and the Sufi saint Bulleh Shah’s “Meri Piya Ghar Aaya,” engaging the audience with interactive elements and powerful vocal displays. The energy of the performance culminated in a joyous finale, transforming the venue into a dance floor as the crowd joined in the singing and celebration.
Divya Bhatia, curator of the Jodhpur RIFF, highlighted the historical significance of the Delhi gharana’s unique approach to Qawwali, emphasizing its blend of poetry, music, and mystical devotion. Artistic Director Vinay Kumar praised the performance as a perfect reflection of Veenapani Chawla’s vision for Adishakti as a vibrant community arts space. The festival, which offered free entry, began with a Sufi music performance by the Warsi Brothers’ protégé, Smita Bellur, in collaboration with SAZ, a Rajasthani folk music trio.
First Piper 