Riyaaz Qawwali

Riyaaz Qawwali is a Houston-based South Asian American music collective specializing in qawwali, an 800-year-old devotional folk music tradition from the India/Pakistan region. Rooted in oral transmission and collective performance, the musicians bring this musical form, its poetry and cultural relevance, to audiences through concerts, educational programs, and community-centered engagements. Distinct from classical Indian music or fusion projects, Riyaaz Qawwali works in the traditional ensemble format of qawwali, featuring lead vocals, chorus, harmonium, and percussion, and presenting repertoire in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, and Persian. Performances are welcoming and accessible, with spoken context that introduces audiences to the music's poetic, historical, and cultural foundations. Riyaaz Qawwali offers a range of touring programs, including traditional concert performances; collaborative and interdisciplinary projects; lecture-demonstrations for schools and universities; and workshops exploring South Asian music, poetry, and history. The ensemble has been presented by museums, performing arts centers, universities, and civic organizations across Texas and the United States, and has received support from the Texas Commission on the Arts and national arts funders, including projects supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and US Regional Arts Organizations. Programs are adaptable for theaters, museums, schools, libraries, and community venues serving urban and rural audiences. Photo by Riyaaz Qawwali.