A vocal devotional singing style found across Pakistan, and northern India, associated with Sufi music with both Persian and sub-continental roots. A singer of this musical form is called a Qawwal and the performance is always in a group. The word Qawwali literally means 'utterances' in Persian and the present form of Qawwali is credited to be started by Amir Khusrau, a Sufi from Delhi. Derivatives of this form have become a key element of the popular music of India and Pakistan. The word is also written kawali, kawwali, and in other variations in Roman script.

http://nusrat.bravehost.com Read about the life of the singer, his music and albums, lyrics of his songs, and their English translations. http://www.osa.co.uk/qawwali_history.html Detailed account of the origin and history of the Qawwali form, including the techniques, use of staging, role of the audience, and the status of the music in Pakistan today. http://www.arigoldfilms.com/qawwali.html Analysis of the music and its roots in Persian poetic forms. http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/kawali.html A page about the Sufi devotional musical form, as performed in Pakistan and India today.