from 6.30pm

Brothers Aftab and Hashim Sabri are busy all through the year, whether in the recording studio lending their voices to the next big soundtrack or presenting the best of qawwali before appreciative audiences.

The always-in-demand qawwali duo, better known as the Sabri Brothers, will be in concert this evening at Kala Mandir, kicking off the Emami Cultural Fiesta, in association with t2.

“The last time we did a concert in Calcutta, it was a great experience. What we like most is Calcuttans appreciate music and are good listeners. But there is no difference when it comes to good audiences, be it Mumbai, Delhi or Calcutta because good music always finds takers. At the same time, I must say that people in your city understand music, especially classical music,” said Hashim Sabri.

Besides qawwali, many know them for lending their vocal charm to Bollywood chartbusters like Tumse milke dil ka hai jo haal (Main Hoon Na), Pee loon (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai) and Sapna mera toota (Nautanki Saala!).

“Our choice of songs depends on the kind of show we present. So, it depends on whether the show is being presented as a Sufi, Bollywood or a qawwali show. Sometimes it’s a mix. Say, we begin a show with Sufi numbers, then qawwali and then some other songs get added,” he said.

But don’t ask them if qawwali is still popular because the brothers are in great demand across the globe. “There are a number of concerts in India and abroad. Sometime back we had a concert in Kuwait, then a world tour... we visited America, Russia.... There is always a crowd for qawwali; it’s part of our culture. There are many qawwali fans and those who appreciate it a lot make it a part of functions,” he rounded off.

Like the one at Kala Mandir from 6.30pm today.

Next up at Emami Cultural Fiesta

March 19 & 20: Alyque Padamsee and Sabira Merchant in Raell Padamsee’s Ace Productions’ Death of a Salesman (by Arthur Miller). Directed by Alyque Padamsee. At Kala Mandir, 7pm on both days

April 3: Pandit Birju Maharaj and Sivamani: A Rare Jugalbandi. At Kala Mandir, 7pm