With Moin on table, and later the dhol, and Ali Mian Dad on harmonium, the group was delightfully in sync. Miandad started his set-piece with “Tum Aik Gorakh Dhanda Ho”, moving to an upbeat version of “Tajdar-e-Haram” and also performed Bulleh Shah’s “Raaz Diyan Gallan”. “I’ll be singing classical, sufi and some ghazal tonight,” he announced at the beginning. Miandad and his ensemble have performed all over the world. He belongs to an eminent qawwal gharana, which has a 600-year-old tradition of qawwali singing. Mian Dad started his career when he was only 10. My grandfather and father used to perform at Data Darbaar,” Nadeem told The Express Tribune. “My family has been in this field since the past four generations and I’ve been performing since 1999. With Amjad Ali on harmonium and Qari Sahib on tabla, the ensemble also included some young qawwals from the same family. Nadeem and party performed first, starting with a mellow rendition of “Allah Hoo”, followed by “Sansoon Ki Mala Pe” and finally an upbeat “Lal Meri Pat”.
It brought together illustrious qawwals, Sher Miandad and Nadeem Jamil along with their ensembles, who left a packed-to-capacity auditorium spellbound with their mystic music. The event, featuring qawwali, ghazal and dhamaal, was held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). Capital residents were treated to an evening of soul music titled “Mehfil-e-Sama” organised here on Tuesday. Sufi music seeks to unite listeners with the Divine by speaking to the soul about love, peace and harmony. Sher Miandad and Nadeem Jamil along with their ensembles perform at the Mehfil-e-Sama.