Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami

Jaan shares his خیالات Khayalaat (thoughts) on the musical form we call Khayal. Since childhood, Jaan was always drawn to Khayal and Sur. At 11 years old, his teacher Munshi Raziuddin brought him under his wing and started training him seriously in this art-form. Since then, it has been his life long obsession, the pursuit of true Sur. This video was shot in Lahore, Pakistan at the first ‘Healing Khayal’ Residency a project supported by @cultural_vibrancy With research conducted by @homayraziad 🎥 Shot by @faheem_gul_mohammad edited by @_infinity_sol_ direction @zebbangash English Transcription below: Khayal: for example, there is something for which I need to make a musical phrase. So I will do so, according to my own thoughts, whatever comes to my mind, I will shape it through that. This is Khayal. When one adopts a single minded focus, secrets are revealed upon them. One can get perturbed. If I tell you, to stand at one point, what will happen? You’ll notice after a few days, that standing straight, silently, what is happening to you? In Arabic, we call it, Irtiqaaz (convergence), in Hindi we call it ‘Aasan’. So is there stillness in it or not? If you sit like this for two hours, then after sitting, your thoughts become aligned, your thinking becomes concentrated, and you become immersed in a specific thought, you attain reality. This is our idea of sur, its’s a perpetual practice. You become entrapped in the taste of that sur, and the secrets of sur start to unveil themselves to you. And then you begin to mold your voice according to that sound, and that is called Khayal. #ustaadsaami #khayal #jaan #jaanism

Jaan’s microtonality and his love and devotion to Sur is his hallmark, but his rhythmic phrasing and laykaari is equally نفیس (intricate), virtuosic, and rare. Rather than pronounced announcements of the sam after improvisational phrases, he glides through the beats (matras) and merges in to the cycle on the sam (1st beat of the cycle) always with a surprise. You can see him enjoying his own funkaari in this clip from a casual private mehfil at the home of @zainubsmusic , circa early 2000’s. #jaan #khayal #raag #jaunpuri #improvisation

Jaan recites a prayer attributed to Hazrat Ali in Arabic Lahn لَحْن His Ustad, Munshi Raziuddin especially took him to al-Madinah al-Munawwarah to spend time with Syed Ibrahim Kabir al-Jilani to imbibe and refine his expression in this style. May Allah keep us all in His Protection 🤲🏼 🎥 @zebbangash #ramadan #prayer #khayal # #jaan ustaadsaami

A reflective conversation on the idea of sohbat between Ustad Naseer Uddin Sami & Bhai Ghulam Muhammad Chand, on the companionship one keeps & how it quietly shapes the inner self over time. The importance of sohbat within the guru/shishya parampara, where the relationship between a shagird and an ustad extends far beyond music alone. One inherits not only sur and taal but temperament, adab, patience, restraint, ways of seeing & ultimately, ways of being. I often think of the years spent in the company of my own Ustad and how that companionship was never only about music. What was transmitted went far beyond sur or technique; language, mannerisms, sensibility, patience, perception — even a way of inhabiting the world. Sohbat itself carries many meanings. It may be companionship with the Divine through prayer and remembrance; with a mentor whose wisdom slowly illuminates one’s path; with a friend, a beloved or a teacher whose mere presence transforms the atmosphere of one’s inner world. In many spiritual traditions, true sohbat is considered transformative precisely because one absorbs far more than words: one absorbs states of being. A reminder that some of the deepest teachings are never formally spoken, but quietly transmitted through companionship itself. #ustadsaami

Sharing a small excerpt of an alap in Raag Aiman (Yaman) from a visit to the valley of Chitral with Ustad Naseer Uddin Sami @ustaadsaami sb; while the Chitral Kunar river flowed quietly beneath us & the night’s silence stretched endlessly around us. #ustadsaami #ragayaman #indianclassicalmusic #chitral

A rare jewel from the archives ✨ 🎙️ Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami — in a 1976 Radio Pakistan recording from Karachi. Raag Bahar, attributed to Hazrat Amir Khusro, with a bandish by Mian Qadir Bakhsh (father of Tanras Khan Sb.) — a glimpse into a master’s early voice, already carrying centuries of living tradition and lineage. 📻 Recorded: June 15, 1976 Now rediscovered and streaming on YouTube. Link in Bio. #UstaadSaami #RadioPakistan #Khayal #Qawwali #AmirKhusro #ArchivalRecording #LivingTradition

Ustad Naseer-ud-Din Sami sings a traditional bandish in Raga Adana during an informal session on one of our visits to Chitral. I was fortunate to have a handycam with me at the time- even though the lighting wasn’t great, I still managed to capture the moment. This very bandish was later featured on Coke Studio. #ustaadnaseeruddinsaami #ragaadana #indianclassicalmusic #pakistanimusic #delhigharana

Most lovable post-award GupShup and wisdom with students and Uber driver #EverbodyLovesJaan♥️ @nermeensaba @teetkhan @ustaadsaami @agakhanmusic #southbanklondon #sufipoetry #khayal #pakistan

The Patron’s Award, honouring the patronage of the Aga Khan family, will be presented to Naseeruddin Saami and his sons, who perform as the @saamibrothersqawwalofficial . A torchbearer of the Delhi gharana (hereditary lineage) of Hindustani music, @ustaadsaami traces his artistic lineage to Amir Khusrau. Revered for his mastery of khyal—the art of melodic improvisation within the framework of raga (melody) and tala (rhythm)—he leads a renowned qawwali group, together with his four sons, that preserves and reinterprets Khusrau’s poetic, musical, and spiritual heritage. All the winners will be honoured on 21 and 22 November 2025 at London’s @southbankcentre , during a series of Awards events held as part of a four-day festival celebrating music from the Great East, presented in partnership with the @londonjazzfest .

Khayal Guided Morning Meditation🌅💫 Start your day with the enchanting sounds of Khayal, as Ustad Saami’s voice transports you to a world of beauty and tranquility. May these true notes inspire your day ahead.🌷 Photography @kohim Audio recorded in Karachi by producer #ianbrennan for Ustaad Saami’s only full length recorded album “God is Not a Terrorist”

Jaan’s (Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami) magic lies in how deeply he embodies his practice. An authentic Khayal practitioner is more than a master of the 49-note system and microtonal nuances – though Ustaad Saami spent 50 years perfecting these intricacies. It’s the soul he pours into his craft that resonates profoundly, reflecting the very spiritual essence of this art form. We’re deeply grateful that the @agakhanmusic Award nomination has recognized his immense talent, honoring his legacy of dedication and artistic excellence of preserving an 800 year old spiritual musical expression. It is wonderful to see his contributions celebrated on such a prestigious platform. 🌷 🌸Team Jaan Photography @usmansaeedstudio Audio @zulqarnainfarooq88

I had the honor of studying music with Sami sb for almost six years, not only is he an ace performer but an erudite teacher who possesses the knowledge and wealth of his ancestors who have been associated with music for more than 750 years. #gharkimehfil #ustaadnaseeruddinsaami #saamibrothers #indianclassicalmusic #ragajaijaiwanti #lahore