Musical group Riyaaz Qawwali says they are strongly influenced by Qawwali – a musical tradition going back 700 years in India and Pakistan where singers performed Sufi Muslim poetry. The songs are said to be “ecstatic music” with the purpose of having a personal connection to God.
Hip Austin Group Influenced By Muslim Poetry
Original article by Anastasia Tsioulcas published in the NPR on 03/22/2015