Definition of Soazkhwani By Prof. Syed Sib-i-Jaafar Zaidi

Salient Features / Some facts about "Soazkhwani"

* The literal meaning of soazkhwani is sorrow or smoulder.

* It is allegorical attribution to the martyrdom of Imam Husain (A.S), his companions & agony thereof.
There are only three basic vocal fine arts of Islam/Muslims: Qirat, Qawwali & Soazkhwani.

* Its beginning can be traced to three centuries back in this subcontinent (especially in Luknow & its surrounding/U.P).

* In SOAZKHWANI classical poetry of Urdu is mostly used as the medium thereof.  

* Since its inception nobody cared. Discovered & compiled certain rules & regulations of this art. The infrastructure is made/designed by Prof. Sib-i-Jaafer.

* Soazkhwani has its own code of conduct, unique to it age old civilization & Islamic culture & has its own phraseology.

* The melody & its practice is needed or required in performance of the common arts. Whereas soazkhwani needs the pathos & pains of the incident in a touching & moving style.

* It is a deliberate attempt according to the existing situation where message occupies the priority than the art & craft (where the massage comes first & the art after words).

* In its compositions of “Ragas” there has  been clear contradictions among the “Ragees” (Classical Masters), because no clear, identified, categorized (shudh Raag/Raagnees) are
used in Soazkhwani. It does not maintain the real effect of “Raag” , but exclude the irrelevant.

* Tecnacally the singer (Performer, vomposer/Soazkhwan) is a competent, experienced & trained professional/ skilled person, who is entitled “Ustaad”. He is adept hand, who
exercise all the facets of rhythmic metres and knows all the intonations of the lyre.