A ceremony which brings the humanity collectively without the basis of religion is what is required. A Festival of this quality with much honesty towards the mission without any agendas must be conducted not just in Ajmer relatively in every part of the world since it unites us without any barriers and distributes the message of harmony and worship’ said The Dargah Deewan, also the Sajjada Nasheen and the Religious Head of Ajmer shrine, Syed Zainual Abedin Ali Khan at the ISFI Awards and the Closing Ceremony of the 8 day International Sufi festival in the holy city of Ajmer. The cities beaucrats, politicians, VVIP’s, the guest were delighted at the ten minutes Electrifying presence of the Dargah Deewan, the head of the Chishtiyyah Order. The Deewan Saheb‘s presence on the introductory day and the closing ceremony was by itself a acknowledgement and acceptance of the ISFI Festival in the city.
The Second Edition of International Sufi Festival brought in the new addition of the ISFI Awards. The Award is to honor the Sufi Community of Artiste and Singers. Apart from the ISFI Platinum award conferred to Padmabhushan Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Saheb for his long lasting contribution. The ISFI Prestigious Gold Award for the Best Sufi Singers was awarded to the Qadar Niazi and Hyder Hassan Nizami.
Qadar Niazi is associated with the Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia and Hazrat Amir Khusro, New Delhi, as a Darbari Aastana singer. He learned from his illustrious father, Ustad Inam Ahmed Khan. He hails from the family of traditional Gharana musician and reputed Qawwal who traditionally enjoyed the patronage of Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. He belongs to the legendry Hapur Gharana which gave Indian musical giants such as Ustad Kubre Mohammad Khan, Ustad Shaadi Khan and Ustad Murad Khan. Most of his ancestors were the court Musician and they were top classical vocalist as well as Dhurpadiyas for more than 700 years. As the most sought after Qawwali artist, Qadar Niazi has performed at many international venues in countries like U.K., Scotland, New Zealand, Singapore, Mecca and Medina, Jeddah, Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Muscat, Oman, Iran, Tanzania and recently in Afghanistan. He is one of the most famous Qawwali singers in the Sufi Styles, Aastana Gayaki as well as the Modern Qawwali tradition.
The Dargah Dewan also the Sajjada Nasheen and the Religious Head of Ajmer shrine, Syed Zainual Abedin Ali Khan conferred the Platinum Award to Padmabhushan Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Saheb for his long lasting contribution in the field of Music and ISFI GOLD Award was awarded to Niazi Nizami brothers. Hyder Nizami says ' We are indeed grateful to Sultan UL Hind Khwaja Saab for the respect given to us here. And also feel that receiving the Award from the Deewan Saheb is the consent from the Aulia himself. Qadar Niazi was short of words at the winning of the ISFI Gold Award and said nothing much just that he cannot thank Khwaja Saab for the striking endorsement that has come to him and his group.
Additional Collector Mohammad Hanif himself a great lover of music and a devotee of Khwaja Saab said ' That the decision to give away the Gold Award to the Niazi Nizami Group was the right decision taken by the jury in New Delhi. He added they were the best and each word formed a energy within the body. That was the dedication and respect towards the Spiritual Sama they have had this day. Further he invited them to sing at the Urs Festival in Ajmer and also to be a part of the ISFI Festival the next year too.
Brigadier PK Singh said that the Niazi Nizami were the right choice for their tremendous singing. They deserved the honor.
Mr Sandeep Marwah, Also from the organizing committee and a member of the ISFI Jury said that we are glad to have made the right decision as the Niazi Nizami Brothers connected to the audience and they have scored the highest in all aspects. Singing with refinement and respect, tremendous powerful voice and Master in various forms of Qawwali.
Manisha Gulyani from the Jaipur Gharana too enthralled the viewers with her Dance and the spectators felt the whirling was miraculously and brilliantly performed and presented.
Mr Mahindra Singh Ralawta, Congress President said that the Raqs was undeniably very charismatic and her language in the entire series was very divine.
Dr Sudeep Rai said that the Jury looks into all aspects before conferring a Award and above all the important factor is the involvement of Service towards the society is also taken into concern.
International Sufi Festival in its second year introduced the ISFI Awards.
ISFI awards celebrating the world’s best Sufi artiste.
The ISFI Platinum award was awarded to Padmabhushan Ghulam Mustafa Khan Saheb
The ISFI Gold Award Winners – Niazi Nizami Brothers, New Delhi
Mrs Manisha Gulyani, Jaipur
Mr Michael Templin, Germany
Khan Legacy, Mumbai
Sarwar Retiwala , Mumbai
Mr Sandeep Marwah, President Marwah Studios
Sitar Maestro Dr Sudeep Rai( Disciple of Padmabhushan Pt Debu Chaudhuri)