It’s Amazing To See How Sufi music And Qawwali Are Trending These Days

Madhur Sharma, a celebrated singer, songwriter, and composer, is known for his soul-stirring melodies and multilingual harmonies rooted in Indian heritage. His recently released EP Reversion blends genres with his captivating voice and sets the stage for his ongoing India tour with Team Innovation. Fans can experience a magical medley of recreations and originals during the tour.

Beyond his music, Madhur actively engages with audiences on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where his creative process and artistic journey have garnered over 954K views on Instagram and more than 5 million views on YouTube, fostering a deep connection with his listeners.

In an exclusive chat with loudest.in he talks about his music journey so far.Here are edited excerpts

Q1.Your ability to perform in multiple languages is remarkable. How do you approach creating music that connects with such diverse audiences?

I'm a big fan of Sufi music and Qawwali. As I mentioned earlier, wherever I lived, I would attend very small gatherings—not really shows, but intimate performances. There was a group of people who would perform at certain places featuring Qawwalis and Sufi music. They performed without microphones or instruments, just their voices and pure passion. Watching them inspired me to join in, singing in the chorus and providing backing vocals. That’s how my journey began.

Sufism deeply resonated with me, and I felt drawn to performing Qawwalis, bhajans, traditional songs, and folk music. When I moved to Mumbai in 2015, I started performing at cafes. The shift was drastic—from singing in temples to performing in urban spaces like cafes.

Q2.How is your tour going right now?

Touch wood, it's been crazy—absolutely insane. I just got to the office and have barely slept, maybe two hours at most. I never imagined I’d perform on the same stage as Rahat Saab.

It feels like a blessing, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. I even had the chance to meet someone from the legendary Patil Khan family, connected to Rahat Patil Khan Saab. He gave me his blessings and spoke so kindly. Experiences like these and interactions with such inspiring people have motivated me immensely. It’s amazing to see how Sufi music and Qawwali are trending these days.

Q3.Nowadays, Bollywood seems to be embracing Qawwali and Sufi songs more than ever. What are your thoughts on this trend, and who has been your inspiration?

There’s a different trend now, especially with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. People’s attention spans have changed significantly—they want something engaging within 30 seconds and can switch to something else just as quickly. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a significant rise in the popularity of hip-hop culture in the country. But now, there’s also a growing craze for Sufi music, Qawwali, and fusion. It’s heartening to see people staying connected to these cultural roots.

India is a treasure trove of diverse music. In the South, you find Carnatic classical music; in the North, it’s a different form of classical music altogether. We are in a country where people learn and draw inspiration from such rich traditions. So, why not preserve and promote the musical flavors people love? Definitely, it’s something worth striving for.

Personally, I try to stay connected with old songs and timeless music. Legends like Mohammad Rafi Saab, Kishore Da, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saab, Sonu Nigam Sir, and A.R. Rahman Sir have been my inspirations from the beginning and will remain so for life. Artists like Atif Aslam and Arijit Singh represent the evolution of music—they’ve brought something new while carrying forward the legacy. Idols and inspirations only grow with time, and everything I’ve learned has been from them.

Q4.So what are the upcoming projects lined up?

There are so many exciting things in the works—let's keep it a secret for now! But I’ll give you a clue: next year is going to be very special. There might be some exciting movies and significant collaborations with some of the biggest labels in the country. The rest, as always, is in God’s hands and thanks to the support of my amazing fans.

If I had to share a message with my fans and listeners, it would be this: Go and listen to Reversion! It’s a unique blend of Indian music with pop and indie pop culture, and I’ve brought something fresh for you, as always. Also, Kaafile is trending right now—one of the songs is creating a buzz, and people are loving it. Make your videos, create reels, share them, and enjoy!

Catch me live if I’m performing in a city near you. The dates and tickets are live, so I hope to see you there. Just keep supporting, keep listening, and always keep dreaming.