Get ready for an extraordinary celebration of music and its power to unite! The winners of the prestigious 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards have been unveiled, and they are an exceptional group of artists from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique story to tell.
This year's awards, held in the UK for the first time, showcase eleven remarkable musicians and groups, representing countries like Morocco, Bahrain, Iran, and beyond. Their artistry and shared humanity through music will leave you in awe.
But here's where it gets controversial... One of the special awards, the Patron's Award, honors the legacy of Amir Khusrau, a 13th-century Sufi saint and musical visionary. His influence on South Asian music culture is undeniable, and two musical families, the Warsi and Saami, trace their heritage back to him. This recognition sparks an important conversation about cultural heritage and the role of music in preserving it.
And this is the part most people miss... The Aga Khan Music Awards aren't just about celebrating talent; they aim to promote spiritual insight, community vitality, and cultural resilience. By supporting these artists, the awards contribute to a broader mission of fostering pluralism and social cohesion.
The winners will be honored at a ceremony in London's Southbank Centre on November 22, 2025, as part of a four-day festival celebrating music from the Great East. It's an event you won't want to miss!
So, who are these incredible artists? Let's take a closer look:
- Sahba Aminikia (Iran/USA): A composer and social innovator, Aminikia founded the Flying Carpet Festival, bringing joy to displaced children through music.
- Mariam Bagayoko (Mali): Known as the "Nightingale of Bélédougou," Bagayoko is a master of traditional Malian music and an inspiration to women and girls.
- Senny Camara (Senegal): Camara's luminous voice and songs promote gender equality and social justice, connecting audiences across West Africa and beyond.
- Kamilya Jubran (Palestine/France): A trailblazer in contemporary Arabic music, Jubran explores cross-cultural collaborations and supports emerging artists through her non-profit, Zamkana.
- Farah Kaddour (Lebanon): Kaddour expands the boundaries of the buzuq, a traditional Middle Eastern lute, and is closely involved with humanitarian relief initiatives.
- Kyriakos Kalaidzidis (Greece): An oud player and scholar, Kalaidzidis highlights the connections between Islamic and Euro-Mediterranean musical traditions, promoting artistic collaborations across the Mediterranean.
- Hamid El Kasri (Morocco): A master of the Gnawa tradition, El Kasri preserves and renews Morocco's musical heritage, collaborating with international artists like Jacob Collier.
- Qalali Folk Band (Bahrain): Dedicated to Bahrain's seafaring musical heritage, the Qalali Folk Band performs sawt and fijri, the traditional music of pearl divers, keeping their cultural memory alive.
- Ustad Naseeruddin Saami (Pakistan): A torchbearer of the Delhi gharana of Hindustani music, Saami is revered for his mastery of khyal and his group's reinterpretations of Amir Khusrau's legacy.
- Derya Türkan (Türkiye): A classical kemençe player and composer, Türkan blends Turkish traditions with jazz and European classical music, reaching audiences worldwide.
- Naseer and Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi (India): Leading exponents of qawwali, the Warsi brothers continue the tradition of shrine service and perform Khusrau's classical repertoire, bringing his musical and spiritual legacy to life.
These artists embody the spirit of the Aga Khan Music Awards, showcasing the power of music to bridge cultures and uplift communities.
What do you think? Do you agree that music is a universal language that can bring people together and promote understanding? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a conversation about the impact of these awards and the role of music in our lives!
