For Sufis the important branch of Tasawwuf, Hearing (Sama) has a value of primary vein in their Soul and body. Among the three kinds of Hearing (Sama) some hear as per their temperament and few as per their mental-state and mood and few hear for the inclination towards right path. This type is legal for every particular and common person. In reality, Hazrat Khawaja Moin ud din Chisti (RA) had made the beginning of Hearing (Sama) in the Sub-Continent and adopted the way of Hearing (Sama) to prevail the message of love of Islam. In true sense Hearing (Sama) got the prevalence in the era of Hazrat Khawaja Nizam ud din Aulia (RA) and his follower and Caliph Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA) due to his innovative temperament he invented the tunes (Talain), Saz, and Raags of music and he selected four boys amongst his students and taught them the secrets of music, and invented Saaz and composition “Bandishain” in such an easy way, that these boys got peak in a very short period. The custom of singing ‘Dharo’, ‘Dhawa’, ‘Matha’,’Chundo’ and ‘Parband’ was common in the Sub-Continent in those days. Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA) composed “Qol”, “Qalbana”, “Naqsh”, “Gul”, “Khayal” and “Tarana” in their place. Likewise Hazrat Amir Khusro(RA) was called the inventor of “Qawwali”. With the advice of Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA), Sultan Alauddin Ghori gave the title of “Qawwal” to these boys.

The same four boys were called the first Qawwals of the world. Anis Arif Nizami Qawwal belongs to one of the Qawwal’s family of these four boys. Among his ancestors, Khawaja Buksh Khan Sahib, Shadi Khan Sahib, Murad Khan Sahib were called the unmatched in the world. Murad Khan Sahib was the inventor of Sargam Singing. Safdar Khan Sahib and Bahadar Khan Sahib have the honor of being called the special Qawwals of the Shrine (Dargah) of Hazrat Khawaja Nizam ud din Aulia (RA.). In 1911, the British government gave the medal to Dildar Khan Sahib on his expertise. Baba-e-Qawwali, Farooq Ahmed Khan Nizami has the honor that in 1924 held the program of Qawwali for the first time in any private sector instead of Khanqah. Likewise, the Sufiana Qawwali, which was primarily restricted to only Khanqas, “Baba-e-Qawwali” introduced the Khanqahi Qawwali in the public sector. In 1939, the Prime Minister of Daccan, Mahraja Kishan Parshad Jee bestowed him with the special certificate. In 1958, along with the Gold Noratan he received the title of “Ishq Ragi”. In 1976, Farooq Ahmed Khan Nizami along with the Gold Medal and Certificate received the title of “Baba-e-Qawwali”. Raees Khaleeq Farooq Ahmed Nizami is the senior most Qawwal of Pakistan.

“University of Qawwali”, Raees Ahmed Khan Nizami has imposed such historical marks in Qawwali which cannot be overlooked in any way. In 1959, Raees Ahmed Khan Nizami along with Gold Medal got the title of “Dast-e- Rang Nawaz”. In 1975, he recorded Qawwali in the special composition “Bandishain” of Amir Khusro and Classical Tals at Radio Pakistan Karachi. He was called the inventor of Qawwali in the classical Tals. In 1984, he received the title of “Nawab Qawwal”. In 1992, on the innumerable services of Raees Ahmed Nizami, he was given the title of “University of Qawwali”. Following the footprints of Raees Ahmed Khan Nizami, his sons Anis Arif Nizami is also busy in prevailing the art of Qawwali.

Anis Arif Nizami started Qawwali at the age of seven. He received the education of Qawwali and Cassiacal from his father Raees Ahmed Nizami and uncle Farooq Ahmed Nizami.Anis Arif Nizami under the guidance of his father and uncle established his own Qawwal Party. Anis Arif Nizami had complete command over the special composition “bandishain” “Qol”, “Qalbana”, “Naqsh”, “Gul” and “Tarana” of Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA). Besides Qawwali Anis Arif Nizami has command over “Khayal”, “Dhurpad”, “Sargam”, “Thumri”, “Dadra”, “Sadra” and “Ghazal”. Further he has complete command over Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Sindhi, Poorbi, Pushto, Urdu and Punjabi languages. Various T.V. Channels like PTV, QTV, ARY, Geo TV, Hum TV and Indus TV etc, telecasts his programs every now and then. Different recording companies released his various CD’s and VCD’s, which are very popular in the public. Their salient feature is that one of their lead singers Arif plays the Dholak and Tabla while he sing for no other Qawwali group has this peculiar style of Qawwali. He has received many awards for his continuous services of Qawwali and also represented Pakistan in many national and international occasions.

Anis Arif Nizami started Qawwali at the age of seven. He received the education of Qawwali and Classical from his father Raees Ahmed Nizami and uncle Farooq Ahmed Nizami. Anis Arif Nizami has participated in many aid programs for the flood-affected people of Bangladesh in 1973. He attached with Radio Pakistan Karachi in 1974 and also participated in many programs from Lahore. He attached with the Pakistan Television in 1974 and besides Karachi Centre participated in many programs from Lahore and Islamabad Centre. He has been participating in the yearly Urs of Hazrat Baba Fareed-ud-din Gang Shakar (RA) since 1973. He is very much admired by the administrators and Sufis. He performed in front of the higher authorities of Air force in Risalpur and Peshawar in 1977. Commodore Shazada Tahir Alam awarded him with the best performance certificate. He had visited India successfully in 1981.

On the eve of the Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (RA), the Manqabat of Hazrat Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (RA) “Aan Pari Main Toray Charnan Khawaja” received great popularity. He participated in many programs in India and the audience was much impressed by his Qawwali art. In 1981, The Nizam ud-din Aolia (RA) committee awarded him with the Gold Medal and Certificate along with the title of the “Khusravi Fankar” due to his expertise and command over his art. He got the blessing of Umra in 1989 and he also visited the Rauza-e-Rasool (SAW). He also participated in many programs in Jeddah and toured successfully in Dubai. He made a successful tour of India in 1991, in which he demonstrated his art in front of the prominent musicians and received very high admiration. The audience liked very much the Manqabat of Khawaja Gharib Nawaz (RA) “Tosay Lagi Lagan Khawaja” and the Tarana of Raag Darbari “Tom Tana nana”. Mehbood Elahi Trust laid the Gold Crown in 1995. He participated in the official programs in 1997 on the eve of 50 years ceremony of Independence Day and fascinated the public due to his glorious performance. In 2000 in a program organized by ISPR, the higher authorities of Pakistan Army were greatly impressed by his performance in Islamabad and Colonel Zahid Mumtaz awarded him with best performance certificate.

He showed splendid performance representing Pakistan in Oslo Mela, Norway and audience was much impressed by his art. Besides, he also toured Germany. In 2007, Jamia Nizamia awarded Anis Arif Nizami by the “Mehboob-e-Elahi” award due to his prolong services in sufiana Qawwali. Golden Crown was laid by the Al-Mustafa Committee in 2007. Nizami Foundation awarded him with the title of “Tooti-e-Khusro” and certificate in 2008 due to his services, correct pronunciation and sweet voice. He also received special award 2008 and best performance certificate by presenting splendid performance in the International Mystic Music Sufi Festival in 2008.