Tumhein Dillagi – Ilahi Sufi Qawwali (Full Riyaz Session)

Earlier this year, a short clip from our Tumhein Dillagi practice session unexpectedly went viral. We received many heartfelt messages requesting the full version—and though this wasn’t recorded with formal intent, we’re sharing it now in response to that beautiful resonance. This video captures the Ilahi Sufi Qawwali ensemble in an informal rehearsal at the Sama School of Music in Bali, preparing for a concert. We’re not in formal dress, and you’ll hear a few lyrical and rhythmic imperfections—this was a raw riyaz after hours of training, not a polished performance. At the time, Tahir Qawwal—our teacher and co-founder of Ilahi—was leading the session while his wife Alexandra Amie Lyons, our usual lead, was resting after the birth of their son, Ashiq Noor. Tahir ji, a formal disciple of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Sher Ali Khan, has spent 25 years sharing the Qawwali tradition internationally through his popular qawwali ensemble, Fanna-Fi-Allah. This session also marked a special transition: our dear Rama ji stepped into the role of tabla player, having been trained in the qawwali style by Tahir over the previous months. Ilahi Sufi Qawwali is the only active female qawwali ensemble in the world, born from the vision of Tahir and Alexandra to pass on the Qawwali tradition to people of all backgrounds through the Sama School of Music. A few lines from the kalam, translated: “Tumhein dillagi bhool jaani paregi, Mohabbat ki raahon mein aakar toh dekho…” “You must forget love as a game— Step onto the path of true love, and only then will you see…” This is Qawwali in its most honest form—alive in the sweat of practice, the spirit of learning, and the transmission of a centuries-old lineage in new hands. For more polished and formally presented renditions of Ilahi Sufi Qawwali performing this same kalam, you can find other versions on our YouTube channel. ▶WEB SITE◀ https://www.fanna-fi-allah.com ▶YOUTUBE CHANNEL◀    / fannafiallah   ▶ONLINE MUSIC SCHOOL◀ https://www.samaschoolofmusic.com ▶QAWWALI DOCUMENTARY SERIES◀ http://www.musicofthemystics.com ▶INSTAGRAM◀   / tahirqawwal  .   / fanna_fi_allah