“Sufi music has moved beyond the realm of being only performed by men” – Saira Peter

music interview

British Pakistani Sufi Opera singer, Saira Peter has established her credibility as a fine singer in the music world in a short span of time. She has pioneered a new music genre of ‘Sufi Opera’ and has become the world’s first Sufi Opera singer. She holds full command over both Eastern and Western classical vocal tones and has introduced this style to music lovers.

Saira is professionally trained in both Western and Pakistani classical voice. She trained as an operatic singer under Paul Knight, who was a student of English composer Benjamin Britten, a legend in Western classical music. She has performed in 13 different languages (English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Sariki, Tamil, Arabic, Swahili, Cantonese) and is devoted to promoting Pakistan’s Sufi values worldwide through her music. Saira holds an MSc Physical Chemistry, and an MA in History (Islam and the West) (Queen Mary, University of London). Her academic training enables her to grasp a deeper understanding of Sufism and her own multicultural immersive learning enables her to build bridges between erstwhile separated worlds. Saira tours US universities to give performances and seminars to bring awareness and understanding of Sufi music and poetry.

Saira has recently released a video of her fusion qawwali ‘Rabeem Ver’ based on Maulana Jallaluddin Rumi’s masnavi (poem). In an exclusive interview with You! Saira talks about her passion for music...

You! Could you explain what Sufi opera is?

Saira Peter: Sufi opera is a new fusion genre of music, that incorporates western classical with eastern classical and whose lyrics carry spiritual values. As a Sufi Opera singer, I have combined both western and eastern classical styles in a new way where meendh (sliding notes) and harmony meet, something astonishing and new for listeners to enjoy.

Different cultures have different styles of sufi music such as whirling dervishes in Turkey, qawwali in Pakistan, Middle East etc. Styles may differ, but the message is global, and historically the western genre of opera has also often tackled big spiritual topics.

You! How would you describe your own musical style?

SP: While I am recognised as a Sufi opera singer, singing is my passion. I perform in a wide variety of styles including folk songs, ghazals, qawwalis, and film songs, as well as Western genres like ayres, modern chanson, west end musical, and of course, opera! But my concerts always feature Sufi opera, and I find a place for my operatic notes to stand out. My recent release of a fusion qawwali ‘Rabeem Ver’ featuring Maulana Rumi’s masnavi in Farsi and Turkish is a great example of Sufi operatic style.

You! What encouraged you to come up with the video of fusion qawwali ‘Rabeem Ver’?

SP: In 2021, I was invited to perform as a soloist in Konya at Mystic Music Festival, the world’s largest Sufi music festival. I specially composed this qawwali for my repertoire, taking Maulana Rumi’s poetry from his Farsi writings. The first antara (verse) was in Farsi and the second was in Turkish, translated by a Turkish friend. It was my heartfelt expression of love, respect and honour for Maulana Rumi. When I performed the qawwali live for the first time at the festival, the audience absolutely loved it. Turkish, Pakistani and other international media gave it a lot of attention in the following days.

The custodian (Sajjada Nasheen, 22nd generation granddaughter of Rumi) Mrs Esin Chelebi, and her husband expressed their appreciation and encouragement for my performance. She later presented me a special shield of Maulana Rumi. The head of the Culture Department also presented me with the flute of Maulana Rumi, in appreciation of my performance, especially the fusion qawwali. In collaboration with Konya Culture and Tourism Directorate, we decided that at some point in the future, we would record the song and create a video. When the time came, we got special permission from relevant authorities which allowed us to shoot the video (fusion qawwali ‘Rabeem Ver’) at the shrine of Maulana Rumi himself. So, it’s the love of people who encouraged me.

You! Qawwali is considered as a male domain. Do you think there is room for female qawwals?

SP: In every nation and every walk of life, to this day women find themselves marginalised in one way or another. I recall Hollywood actress Emma Thompson’s plea to directors and writers upon receiving an Oscar in 1993, “Please create roles where women don’t merely portray the way men want to see them”. Her cry was not just for the creative industries but referred to all the injustices that birthed the feminist movement around the world. This question basically asks why women are sidelined not only in music but in every area of life. For example, how many female composers or film music directors are there?

When it comes to female qawwals, one sees a lot of big names like Abida Parveen (Pakistan), Suraiya Multanikar (Pakistan), Jahida Wehbe (Lebanon) and the Nooran Sisters (India), who have established their credibility on national and international level owing to their soulful singing.

Of course, there is room for female qawwals. The world is changing. Well-known Canadian qawwali singer Tahir Faridi Qawwal, has recently launched a qawwali group led by around 12 female singers. Isn’t it amazing?

You! Do you think the future of female qawwals is bright?

SP: Yes, it is. In the west, there are so many opportunities for anyone who wants to discover new things. People are continually encouraged to explore, and there is the social space necessary for women to work freely. In this vibrant milieu, Sufi music, including qawwali, has moved beyond the realm of being only performed by men. Women are welcomed to take part and respected for their efforts. Every art form is on a transformative journey, it takes new shapes according to the ways our world is moving.

I have been in touch with many female Sufi singers from all over the world. I wouldn’t be surprised if more fusion qawwalis like mine are created and many new female qawwali singers emerge in our world of music.