In a rare performance, Pakistani musicians Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and The Saami Brothers join forces with Zeb Bangash to explore the spiritual healing power of khayal music. Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is a distinguished classical vocalist, belonging to a lineage of musicians that spans over 800 years. A master of the khayal and dhrupad genres, Ustad Saami is a revered figure in the Delhi Gharana, known for his profound knowledge of classical ragas and his deep, resonant voice. His contributions to South Asian classical music have made him a living legend, and his performances are not just concerts—they are spiritual experiences that bridge the past and present, connecting audiences across cultural and temporal divides.

Ustad Saami, the last living practitioner of a mesmerizing ancient 49-note microtonal vocal scale, is a master of both khayal—a genre of Indian classical vocal music—and qawwali, a form of devotional music performed by Sufi musicians. He is returning to SAI and will be joined by his sons, The Saami Brothers, for this special event that carries forward the family’s khayal and qawwali music legacy. Joining the family is Pakistani pop sensation of Coke Studio fame, Zeb Bangash, who is one of Ustad Saami’s star students, will open the show by debuting a khayal work.

*The Center for Cultural Vibrancy is a presenting partner for this performance.