Saturday 28 November 2026 St Mary Magdalen

Chahat

An immersive evening of qawwali with Chahat Mahmood Ali Qawwal: powerful vocals, intricate melodies and rhythmic percussion.

Experience the soaring voices, hypnotic rhythms and spiritual intensity of traditional qawwali, led by acclaimed young qawwal Chahat Mahmood Ali.

Born into a qawwali-singing family in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Chahat was raised in the tradition and studied under the legendary Ustaad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Since making their UK debut in 2023, Chahat Mahmood Ali Qawwal has captivated audiences at some of the UK’s most prominent venues and festivals including Southbank Centre, Birmingham Mela, Eid in the Square at Trafalgar Square and Caird Hall in Dundee. Still only 23, he has already been described by the Financial Times as performing “like a master”.

Accompanied by his ensemble, including his father Mahmood Ali, who has sung with many of the current masters, the powerful vocals, intricate melodies, and deep connection to Sufi poetry create an electrifying and immersive experience.

Performed in in Urdu, Punjabi and Persian, the repertoire pays tribute to some of the great voices and poets of the Sufi tradition, including Baba Bulleh Shah and Miyaan Muhammad Baksh.

From intimate verses to moments of overwhelming musical intensity, this is music designed not simply to be heard, but to be felt.

Come and experience the timeless tradition of qawwali — a musical journey of devotion, poetry and collective celebration.

Part of Music and Dance: The Culture of South Asia