How Dhurandhar’s Repurposed Qawwali with Pakistani Origins Engages with a Shared Cultural Past

In the ever-evolving landscape of South Asian cinema, music has always served as a bridge across borders, generations, and histories. Dhurandhar, the latest cinematic spectacle from India, offers audiences high-octane drama and stellar performances, yet its musical choices present a fascinating cultural dialogue—one that is largely overlooked. The film’s repurposed qawwali, originally rooted in Pakistani musical traditions, engages with a shared cultural past, even as the movie’s narrative chooses to sidestep this origin.
Qawwali, the devotional Sufi music form, has long been an emblem of South Asia’s intertwined cultural heritage. Its pulsating rhythms, intricate melodies, and poetic lyrics speak to centuries of spiritual expression across the subcontinent. Many iconic qawwalis from Pakistan, especially those by legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen, have crossed geographical and political boundaries, finding fans across India and beyond. Dhurandhar’s decision to integrate a qawwali with Pakistani origins is not just a musical choice; it is an invocation of this shared cultural memory.
Repurposing Qawwali for Cinematic Drama
In Dhurandhar, the qawwali appears at a pivotal juncture of the film, underlining themes of rivalry, honor, and reconciliation. The filmmakers adapted the piece to suit the cinematic context: tempo adjustments, orchestral layering, and modern production techniques transform the devotional original into a soundtrack that feels larger than life. Yet beneath this repurposed exterior lies a deep resonance of history—the original composition’s lyrics, rhythm, and style subtly remind audiences of a musical tradition that predates contemporary national borders.
This creative adaptation illustrates how cinema can act as a vessel for cultural dialogue. While the film itself may focus on fictional narratives, the music carries a weight of collective memory. For audiences familiar with the Pakistani roots of the qawwali, there is an additional layer of recognition and nostalgia. Even viewers unaware of its origins are drawn into a sonic world that hints at the subcontinent’s shared past, subtly challenging the notion that art is confined by political lines.
Ignoring the Origins: A Missed Opportunity
While Dhurandhar’s use of Pakistani-origin qawwali enriches its auditory experience, the film’s narrative largely ignores the provenance of the music. This oversight reflects a broader tendency in South Asian cinema to extract cultural elements without acknowledging their cross-border histories. By not crediting the musical lineage, the film misses an opportunity to highlight the rich, intertwined histories of India and Pakistan—a reminder that art often transcends geopolitical divides.
Acknowledging these origins could have added depth to the viewing experience, allowing audiences to engage not only with the story onscreen but also with the shared heritage that the music represents. It would have positioned Dhurandhar not merely as a cinematic spectacle but as a subtle commentary on the resilience of cultural connections despite political tensions.
Cultural Resonance Beyond Borders
The repurposed qawwali also underscores a significant truth about art: its ability to resonate beyond the circumstances of its creation. Despite being adapted for a Bollywood action-drama, the essence of the qawwali—its devotion, rhythm, and lyrical beauty—remains intact. This illustrates how cultural products from one region can be reinterpreted and celebrated in another, creating a shared artistic language. In the context of Dhurandhar, the music becomes a bridge connecting audiences across borders, reminding them of a collective heritage that persists even in times of division.
A Reflection on South Asian Cinema
Dhurandhar’s soundtrack invites reflection on how South Asian cinema engages with its musical inheritance. The repurposing of Pakistani-origin qawwali is emblematic of a larger trend: Indian films often draw from neighboring cultures to enrich their storytelling, yet seldom acknowledge these sources. While this can be seen as a form of cultural borrowing, it also highlights the enduring power of music to transcend boundaries. The audience’s emotional response, whether conscious or subconscious, reflects recognition of a shared history that politics cannot erase.
Conclusion
In repurposing a Pakistani-origin qawwali, Dhurandhar inadvertently engages with a cultural past that predates its cinematic universe. While the film may sidestep acknowledging this lineage, the music itself carries a memory of shared heritage, acting as a quiet testament to the intertwined histories of India and Pakistan. This juxtaposition—high-octane modern cinema paired with centuries-old musical tradition—offers a powerful reminder that art often finds ways to preserve connections that politics cannot sever.
Dhurandhar’s soundtrack thus serves as a case study in the enduring relevance of cross-border cultural dialogue, highlighting the power of music to engage audiences on multiple levels. Even when films overlook these origins, the resonance of shared heritage persists, reminding viewers that the subcontinent’s artistic history belongs to all who inhabit it.
Key Takeaways:
Dhurandhar uses a qawwali rooted in Pakistani tradition, enriching the film’s musical landscape.
The film’s narrative ignores the cultural origin, missing a chance to highlight shared heritage.
Music serves as a bridge across borders, preserving connections beyond politics.
South Asian cinema continues to navigate the balance between borrowing and acknowledging cross-cultural influences.