Nadeem Sarwar

Nadeem Sarwar is a Pakistani noha khwan (reciter of Shia elegies) widely regarded as one of the most recognised and influential noha reciters in the world. He was born on 25 October 1970 in Karachi, Pakistan, into a family devoted to azadari; his father was Syed Asrar Hussain Rizvi. He began reciting nohas as a young child under the guidance of his parents. Rising to prominence in the 1980s, Nadeem Sarwar has released an album of nohas almost every year for four decades, and his annual Muharram release is among the most anticipated in the Shia world. His recitations are known for their poetry, melody and emotional depth. Although he recites primarily in Urdu, he has performed nohas in many languages including Sindhi, Saraiki, Punjabi, Pashto, Hindi, Gujarati, Persian, Arabic and English, reflecting his following across South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. His sons, Ali Shanawar and Ali Jee, are also noha reciters who often appear alongside him. Nadeem Sarwar continues to perform at majalis and azadari gatherings worldwide, particularly during Muharram and Safar.

Style & Speciality