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Question

Who among the following was a famous 'Qawwali' singer?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2019 (Tier 2) GS Finance & Economics Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2020)
The correct answer is

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Understanding the Question: Famous Qawwali Singers

The question asks to identify a famous 'Qawwali' singer from the given options. Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is known for its energetic and rhythmic performance style, often featuring harmonium, tabla, and vocalists.

Analysing the Options

Let's look at each individual option to determine their primary musical genre or fame:

  • Bade Ghulam Ali Khan: He was a legendary Indian classical vocalist belonging to the Patiala Gharana. While his contributions to music are immense, his primary fame is in classical music, not Qawwali.
  • Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: He was a world-renowned Pakistani musician, primarily a singer of Qawwali. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Qawwali singers in history and played a significant role in popularizing Qawwali music globally.
  • Nazia Hassan: She was a Pakistani pop singer. She gained fame in the 1980s with her disco and pop music, not Qawwali.
  • Begum Akhtar: Known as the "Mallika-e-Ghazal" (Queen of Ghazal), she was a celebrated Indian singer of Ghazal, Dadra, and Thumri genres of Hindustani classical music. While she sang devotional music, it wasn't primarily Qawwali.

Identifying the Famous Qawwali Singer

Based on the analysis of the options, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is clearly the most famous figure among the choices who is primarily known for his Qawwali singing.

Comparison of Singers and Genres
Singer Primary Genre(s) Known as a Qawwali Singer?
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Hindustani Classical (Vocal) No
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwali, Sufi Music Yes, very famous
Nazia Hassan Pop, Disco No
Begum Akhtar Ghazal, Dadra, Thumri No

Conclusion on the Famous Qawwali Singer

Therefore, the individual among the options who was a famous Qawwali singer is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Revision Table: Key Singers and Music Styles

Quick Recap of Singers and Styles
Singer Name Music Style
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Classical Vocal
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwali
Nazia Hassan Pop Music
Begum Akhtar Ghazal, Thumri, Dadra

Additional Information: Understanding Qawwali Music

Qawwali is a vibrant and dynamic musical tradition. Here are some key aspects:

  • Origin: It originated in South Asia in the 13th century with Amir Khusrow.
  • Purpose: It is primarily devotional music, intended to inspire religious ecstasy (wajd) in listeners.
  • Instruments: Typically includes harmonium, tabla, dholak, and clapping by the chorus.
  • Structure: Often starts slow and builds in tempo and intensity, featuring improvisations and call-and-response between the lead singer and the chorus.
  • Lyrics: Often draw from Sufi poetry, expressing themes of divine love and separation from the Beloved (God).
  • Famous Practitioners: Apart from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, other famous Qawwali singers include the Sabri Brothers, Aziz Mian, and Abida Parveen (who also sings other Sufi genres).
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