Renowned for his ethereal voice rooted in a storied gharana tradition, playback singer Mujtaba Aziz Naza recently voiced alarm over Sufi music’s contraction within Bollywood. Speaking candidly, he painted a picture of a genre once ubiquitous, now confined to dramatic peaks in narratives.
‘Sufi songs in films are now limited to emotional scenes or specific contexts,’ Naza observed. The golden era of mandatory qawwalis per movie has faded, replaced by selective usage driven by plot needs. In this scroll-dominated age, preserving Sufi music’s introspective soul proves challenging, as it demands immersion over fleeting glances.
On the thrill of live qawwalis, Naza emphasized audience interplay. ‘Setlists are mere guides,’ he noted. ‘The moment we hit the stage, crowd enthusiasm reshapes everything—we adapt on the fly. This fluidity defines qawwali’s magic.’
Naza opened up about navigating fame’s burdens. ‘A big name brings amplified expectations,’ he admitted. ‘Early on, I underestimated the weight, but growth revealed the challenge: fulfilling legacies while forging my path. I’ve risen to it, refining my art through divine grace.’
Pivotal moments include voicing tracks for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s grand visions in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. ‘Sanjay sir transforms lives,’ Naza said. ‘His perfectionism turns projects into learning sanctuaries. Being part of that soundscape was an honor. His direction sparks creativity without friction—compositions flowed in enchanted bursts.’
Naza’s insights underscore a call to revive Sufi music’s depth amid Bollywood’s commercial churn, blending tradition with contemporary appeal.
