Qawwali music for charity
FANS of Qawwali music are in for a treat when Anis Ali Sabri and his father, Nizam Sabri, with their music group take centre stage at the Joseph Stone auditorium on Friday January 26.
The show, in aid of funds for the needs of various community organisations, including the Sunni Jumua Mosque in Pelikan Park, starts at 8.30pm.
Qawwali is described as a form of traditional Sufi music dating back more than 700 years.
Delhi’s Sufi Saint, Amir Khusrao, is credited with fusing various Eastern types of music traditions and creating Qawwali music as it is known today.
There have been many accomplished and internationally renowned exponents of this art form, most notably the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the Sabri Brothers. It is under the latter’s tutelage that the father in this duo learnt the art of Qawwali.
Nizam Sabri, also known as Alishah, and his friends Yusuf Patel and Ibrahim Patel started this group in Gujarat, India, during the 1970s.
As time progressed they became disciples of the famous Sabri Brothers and started performing Sufi Qawali at various events across India.
Nizam and his group then teamed up with Farooq Mirazi, Rajesh Solanki and Riyaz Qazi. Mirazi is from Rajasthan and his forefathers were renowned tabla (percussion) players. He received his training from them.
Solanki and Qazi were trained by Anis Ali once joining the group. They are chorus singers and are proficient in additional percussion instruments.
Following in his father and brother’s footsteps, Rizwan Sabri completed a master of arts degree in Tabla playing from the MSU institute in Baroda.
Nizam Sabri trained his elder son Anis Ali Sabri from childhood and as a young musician he went on to further his training by studying for a master arts in Indian classical vocals at the same institute as his brother Rizwan.
Anis Ali’s hunger to learn didn’t stop here.
He took further formal training in various musical styles. He has recently started working as a music director in Bollywood with a couple of movies under his belt.
Recently he had the internationally renowned playback singers Mika Singh and Mohammed Irfaan working on his songs for an upcoming film.
While proficient in other musical styles, for Anis Ali Qawwali music will always be his mainstay. He, with his father and brother, with their group have performed extensively in India.
They recently completed a successful tour in the UK, being hosted at various events in London, Bolton, Blackburn, Manchester and Leicester.
Their tour to South Africa is in aid of charity, raising funds for various projects, such as the one in Pelican Park where the mosque committee are embarking on a building expansionproject with the intention of erecting a community library, hall and conference facilities, as well as providing free health care to the underprivileged.
Every ticket bought will go a long way in realising their aims. For further info contact SJM Events: 072 109 1889.
The Imperial Ice Stars company from Russia is presenting at The Artscape Opera House until January 28.The company’s previous productions have enthralled audiences in this country and abroad.The shows feature Olympic medalists and champions. This production has been conceived and choreographed by award-winning ice director Tony Mercer with three of the world’s most respected ice coaches – Evgeny Platov, dual Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion, and the 2006 and 2007 ice dancing World Champions Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski.Tickets R90 to R425. Tue – Fri at 7.30pm, Sat 3pm 7.30pm, Sun 2pm, 6pm. Book at Computicket, 0861 915 8000, or the theatre, 021 438 3301.
Email dean@theatreonthebay. co.za by 6pm tomorrow. SUBJECT LINE: ToTT Cinders.
Not quite – but Ian von Memerty gets into Elton John mode for in outrageous costumes.This tribute is on at Theatre on the Bay from Tuesday to January 27.Von Memerty is a whizz on the piano and will be accompanied by a top band.Tickets R100 – R220. Book at Computicket, 0861 915 8000 or the theatre, 021 438 3301.
Email dean@ theatreonthebay.co.za by 6pm tomorrow. SUBJECT LINE:ToTT Honky Cats.
To hold on to that festive season feeling, see (Hot Dance Circus) at the Followspot Kalk Bay Theatre, a superb cirque/ comedy/cabaret which wraps up on January 20.Tickets are R175. Next up is Marriage For Dummies from January 25 to February 3.This comedy cabaret features Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert. These talented artists, who are married to each other, have enthralled audiences with their wry take on relationships. Tickets for are R150.Tuesday nights are buy one, get one free. Book at www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za or call 0217887257. R175. Dinner is extra in the restaurant.
(show only). E mail kalkbaytheatre@gmail.com by 6pm tomorrow. SUBJECT LINE:ToTT or tweet @ KalkBay_Theatre with #ToTTFreebies, also by 6pm tomorrow.
@theCapeRobyn