Qawwali literally means ‘utterance’ and qawwali is the mouthpiece of Divine Power. This art form is the devotional music of the Sufis- the mystical sect of Islam, intended to elevate the spirit and bring both performer and listener closer to God. Qawwali originated with the foundation of the Chishti order of the Sufis in Khorasan (Persia) in the early 10th century and was brought to the Indian subcontinent in the 12th century. At the heart of Sufism is the heart itself: devotional love of God (Allah), his prophet (Mohammed) and his friend (Ali). Music is the vehicle to reach the heart and attain a state of grace or enlightenment, a ‘stateless state’ or ‘Ma’rifat’- the inner knowledge. Traditionally a qawwali performance is heard at the shrine of a saint or a gathering of the brotherhoods. Today the qawwal, as the qawwali singer is called, will sing at all the major events such as marriages and religious festivals, and, increasingly, in a number of secular contexts. It still remains one of the most popular forms of musical expression in the subcontinent. Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born in 1948 shortly after the independence of India and Pakistan. He comes from a distinguished family of musicians steeped in classical and mystical Islamic tradition. His ancestors were great practitioners of qawwali. Today Nusrat is considered the greatest exponent of qawwali. His art has transcended all boundaries of language and religion and has popularized this beautiful and inspirational music to audiences worldwide.