The Qasida is the devotional poetry of Ismailis of Persian heritage
From the Diwan of Sultan Ibrahim Mirza, Iran, 1582.
Image: Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Catalogue: Spirit and Life
Music had a high place in the cultures of pre-Islamic dynasties. Amongst the earliest historical records of Persian music are the writings of the Greek historians who refer to the use of ritual and ceremonial music at the time of the Medes (900-550 BC) and the Achaemenian (559- 331 BC) dynasties. The performance of music continued both in the court and in society after the advent of Islam through the Arab conquests in the seventh century. The Sitar (Persian ‘three strings’) is a small lute with a long neck. It was originally equipped with three metallic strings but a fourth was added during the Qajar period ((r. 1794-1925).
Performance and recitation of religious music and poetry has been a feature of Muslim piety for many centuries in different cultures. The tradition of devotional poetry amongst the Ismailis in Persia (modern day Iran), known as Qasidas, is part of the broader literary tradition of Persia found among other Muslim traditions as well.
From the thirteenth century onwards, attitudes towards music in Persia were influenced by the growth of Sufi orders; almost all of them regarded music as an essential part of their devotional practices. The Safavid* period, particularly under Shah Abbas (r.1588-1629), saw significant royal patronage of music; many miniatures from the period depict scenes of people playing musical instruments and dancing.
The Ismaili community has had a long history in Persia. Since the establishment of the Nizari state of Alamut until the migration of Imam Hasan Ali Shah, Aga Khan I, Ismaili Imams lived in Persia for almost eight centuries. After the fall of Alamut to the Mongols in 1256, the community and the Imams lived under the guise of Sufi tariqas for many centuries in order to avoid persecution. As a result, there has been a mutual interchange of ideas and terminologies between the Sufis and the Ismailis, resulting in many similarities between their poetry and literature.
* A major Shi‘i dynasty which ruled Persia (1501–1732)
1. https://ismailimail.blog/2014/12/17/the-qasida-is-the-devotional-poetry-of-ismailis-of-persian-heritage/
2. Amnon Shiloah, Music in the World of Islam, Wayne State University Press, Detroit.1995, Music & Melodies of the Persian Ismaili qasideh, The Institute of Ismaili Studies - Research by Nimira Dewji
Akber Andani
Salim Thobani
Sanya Sohani
Shireen Pirani
Aalam Gul Farhad
AKBER ANDANI
SALIM THOBANI
SANYA SOHANI
ROZMIN PANJWANI
SANA HASHIM
SHIREEN PIRANI
GULZAR PANJWANI
Translation
Mashallah! I am impressed. So clear
Nice very touching voice
Nice
It’s a wonderful work, keep it up!!!
Nice?
Very nice
Very clear sound. Soul touching
Dream come true!
Nice wonderful work
Very nice….
Very nice ?
Beautifully recited. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Good job keep it up ?
Wonderful, if not already there it would be great to get translations as well.
Wonderful singers. Transports one into peace and entrancement
Best way to promote this wonderful tradition immensely important and useful for younger generation as well as any age group.
Awesome especially for kids in USA
Mashallah . Beautiful voices . Makes the surrounding peacefully . My younger one loves to learn new Ginans and Qasidas, this will help her
Can’t thanks enough for this wonderful work . I hope jamat take maximum advantage . May Mowla bless everyone involved in this wonderful work . Ameen
Very nice.
Mashaallah Wonderful Singers Transports one into peace and entrancement
Great service
Well done
Outstanding Work! Keep it up!!
Plz display it with the translation as well it will be better, loved it
Very nice clear voice thanks for sharing
Ya ali madad. I am a student and love learning ginans. Thank you so much for doing such an amazing work. I pray that All your good wishes come true . Thank you
Wonderful, keep it up
Please add more Qasidas
So beautiful!!! A real joy to listen
The best one recited with really good voice and tuning is “Har chand ke man dar”. Rest good effort I understand the language, sounds clear.
My kids and I listen to the qasidas every night and this is the best app for it. Please keep updating it with new content.
Mashaallah! A real joy to listen
Keep it up with good work. Please add more Qasida. Thanks
Mashaallh very good voice .i really joy to listen thank you sooo much for sharing plz add more QASIDAH..May Mawla Bless you and your family Aameen. Thanks ??????❤️?
Mashaallh very good voice
Plz display it with translation it will be better, loved it though ❤️
Ya Ali Madat
Wonderful collection