More than 800 music lovers, supporters, well-wishers and beneficiaries gathered at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as Wishes and Blessings, a Delhi-based NGO, hosted the fifth edition of its annual fundraising concert, Jashn-e-Qawwali, on Saturday evening. The celebration brought together the timeless tradition of qawwali and a purpose close to the organisation’s heart—supporting its endeavour to build a permanent home for vulnerable elders.
The evening came alive with the soulful performance of renowned Sufi and Qawwali artist Kabul Bukhari & Troupe, whose music drew the audience into the mehfil from the very beginning. The response grew with every rendition, with people clapping along to the rhythm, singing familiar verses and immersing themselves in the music.
Qawwalis including “Saddagi,” “Afreen Afreen,” “Halka Halka Saroor,” “Kali Kali Zulfon Ke” and “Kehna Ghalat Ghalat” received an especially warm response. As the evening progressed, the enthusiasm extended beyond applause and singing, as audience members rose to dance to the music. The sight echoed the previous edition of Jashn-e-Qawwali, where the mehfil had similarly transformed into a celebration of music, movement and collective joy.
The atmosphere remained so charged that repeated calls of “once more” made it difficult to bring the performance to an end. The response to Kabul Bukhari & Troupe captured what has become a defining feature of Jashn-e-Qawwali — the ability of a traditional qawwali mehfil to bring an entire audience into the experience, creating what has come to be known as “Dancing Qawwali.”
Beyond the music and celebration, the evening carried a deeper purpose. Jashn-e-Qawwali 5.0 was organised to support Wishes and Blessings’ endeavour to acquire land to build a permanent home for the current and future residents of Mann Ka Tilak, the organisation’s old-age home.
The residents of Mann Ka Tilak were among the special guests at the concert. They were not merely present as beneficiaries of the initiative; they were at the heart of the cause that the evening sought to support.
Since 2018, Mann Ka Tilak has provided free shelter, care, companionship and dignity to elderly individuals who have faced neglect, abandonment and abuse. Operating from rented premises, the home now aspires to have a permanent, self-owned space where vulnerable elders can live with safety, security and dignity.
Reflecting on the success of the event and the purpose behind the initiative, Dr. Geetanjali Chopra, Founder of Wishes and Blessings, said: “It is truly heart-warming to see how Jashn-e-Qawwali, which began as a small organisation initiative, has grown into such a grand celebration. But what is even more special is to witness people from all walks of life come together for our elders. To see society stand united in ensuring that those who once cared for us are themselves cared for, protected and given the dignity they deserve is deeply fulfilling. For me, this is what makes the success of Jashn-e-Qawwali truly meaningful.”
The fifth edition of Jashn-e-Qawwali brought together music and philanthropy in an evening that extended beyond the stage. From hundreds of voices singing along to spontaneous dancing and repeated calls for “once more,” the celebration reflected the enduring appeal of the qawwali mehfil while keeping the needs and dignity of vulnerable elders at its centre.