Dubai: Watch Pakistani documentary ‘Songs of the Sufi’ this Sunday

Dubai: ‘Songs of the Sufi’, the critically acclaimed Pakistani documentary, will be screened at the Theatre of Digital Art in Souk Madinat, Dubai, on Sunday.

The documentary has garnered international accolades for its celebration of the sacred art of ‘qawwali’ – a form of devotional music and the universal message of love and unity it embodies.

Produced by Kamran Anwar and directed by Shahrukh Waheed, the documentary explores the rich history and spiritual essence of classical ‘qawwali’ music. Through the voices of the legendary qawwals of the Qawwal Bachay Gharana, heartfelt interviews with aficionados and music scholars, and stunning visual storytelling, the film brings the timeless beauty of Sufi traditions to life.

Global festivals

Having been officially selected for more than 16 global festivals, literary conferences, and academic institutions, the film has received widespread recognition, winning the best documentary at the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival, the best musical documentary at the Washington D.C. South Asian Film Festival, the special jury award at the Gandhara Independent Film Festival and the yellow rose award at the Jaipur International Film Festival.

“We are delighted to present Songs of the Sufi to Dubai, a city that celebrates cultural diversity and artistic excellence,” said Jamal Alvi, CEO, Habib Bank AG Zurich. “This is our tribute to the art of qawwali and the remarkable families who have kept this tradition alive for generations.”

Classical Qawwali

Anwar noted that ‘qawwali’ is one of the greatest gifts to the world of spirituality and music.

“I am hopeful that audiences will enjoy the hybrid, layered meaning of this art form and the universal message of tolerance and inclusion embodied in the message of the great Sufis that we have tried to capture in the film.”

Dr Katherine Schofield, co-producer and the head of the music department at Kings College in London noted: “With its powerful message of peace between all people, I am delighted that it is being screened in Dubai, the multicultural hub of the region.”

The screening is organised by Poetic Strokes, an art platform bringing events to Dubai focusing on art, music, film and theatre.