Presented by District of Raga and The Center For Cultural Vibrancy
Tickets:
Early Bird (GA) $44.67 (Incl. $4.67 in fees)
Early Bird tickets available until Monday, September 14th at 10am
Doors: 6:30, Concert 7pm
The Saami Brothers are among the world's foremost practitioners of traditional Qawwali, carrying forward an unbroken Sufi musical lineage that stretches back nearly 800 years. As hereditary musicians of the legendary Qawwal Bacha Delhi Gharana, founded by the 13th-century poet, musician, and mystic Amir Khusrau, they preserve one of the oldest and most revered traditions of devotional music in the Islamic world.
Their performances embody the spiritual power that has made Qawwali beloved for centuries—hypnotic rhythms, soaring vocal improvisation, ecstatic call-and-response, and poetry that seeks to move both performer and listener toward wajd, a transcendent state of spiritual ecstasy. Every performance is spontaneous, emotionally charged, and deeply rooted in centuries of oral tradition.
Accessibility: The Church of the Epiphany, located at 1317 G Street NW in Washington, DC, provides an ADA-compliant ramp at the main entrance, offering direct access to the sanctuary. Accessible restrooms are available on the main level via ramp access, and the sanctuary provides ample space to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility or support equipment. As a historic building, the church does not have an elevator, and the upstairs balcony is accessible by stairs only.
The Saami Brothers are among the world's foremost practitioners of traditional Qawwali, carrying forward an unbroken Sufi musical lineage that stretches back nearly 800 years.
MORE ABOUT QAWWALI
Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music that emerged more than 750 years ago through a rich synthesis of Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and South Asian musical traditions. Built upon poetry, improvisation, rhythmic intensity, and communal participation, its purpose extends beyond entertainment. Traditionally performed at Sufi shrines and spiritual gatherings, Qawwali seeks to guide listeners toward wajd—a heightened state of spiritual ecstasy achieved through music, devotion, and collective experience.
While many listeners know Qawwali through iconic artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the form encompasses a much older hereditary tradition preserved within a small number of musical families. Among the most distinguished is the Qawwal Bacha Delhi Gharana, founded by the great poet and musician Amir Khusrau and safeguarded for centuries through oral transmission.
The Saami Family stands among the last great custodians of this lineage. Their performances preserve an approach to Qawwali that predates its modern evolution, emphasizing subtle melodic development, profound spiritual expression, and exceptional vocal mastery.