Prepare to be inspired by the 11 extraordinary winners of the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards, a celebration of musical brilliance that transcends borders and cultures. But here’s where it gets truly remarkable: among them is Pakistan’s legendary Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, whose mastery of khayal has captivated audiences worldwide. This year’s honorees are a testament to the power of music as a bridge between traditions, communities, and generations.
Announced on Monday night by the Aga Khan Music Programme, the 2025 awards spotlight artists who are not just preserving musical heritage but also using it to heal, unite, and innovate. From India’s iconic Warsi Brothers, whose qawwali traditions echo centuries of devotion, to Mali’s Mariam Bagayoko, the 87-year-old ‘Nightingale of Bélédougou,’ these recipients are guardians of soundscapes that define identity and spirituality. And this is the part most people miss: their work extends beyond performance—it’s about safeguarding traditions for future generations, from Bahrain’s pearl-diving songs to music therapy for conflict-affected children in Syria and Türkiye.
Winners don’t just receive a share of the prize fund; they gain career-boosting support, including commissions, recordings, and educational initiatives. This aligns with the program’s mission to foster pluralism, tolerance, and cultural connection through music. For the first time, the ceremony will take place in the United Kingdom, bringing laureates from 11 countries to London’s Southbank Centre on November 22, in partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival. But here’s the controversial part: as we celebrate these artists, it raises the question—how do we ensure their traditions thrive in an increasingly globalized world? Is preservation enough, or must we also reinvent?
Prince Rahim Aga Khan emphasized the awards’ vision, stating they reflect ‘the belief in music’s power to bridge cultures and uplift the human spirit,’ honoring traditions intertwined with prayer, celebration, memory, and identity. An independent Master Jury, including luminaries like Oumou Sangaré and Jordi Savall, selected the laureates from over 400 global nominees.
Special Awards Spotlight:
- Mariam Bagayoko (Mali): Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong dedication to Mali’s musical heritage, teaching women and girls the n’goussounbala balafon and vocal traditions.
- Ustad Naseeruddin Saami & The Saami Brothers (Pakistan): Patron’s Award for their 800-year lineage and pioneering microtonal system, blending spirituality with classical music.
- Naseer & Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi (India): Patron’s Award for continuing the qawwali legacy of Amir Khusrau, bridging ancient traditions with modern audiences.
Meet the 2025 Laureates:
- Sahba Aminikia (Iran/USA): Composer and humanitarian bringing music to displaced children through the Flying Carpet Festival.
- Senny Camara (Senegal): Kora player and feminist voice addressing ecology and justice in multilingual compositions.
- Kamilya Jubran (Palestine/France): Vanguard of contemporary Arabic music, blending tradition with experimentation.
- Farah Kaddour (Lebanon): Buzuq innovator expanding the instrument’s expressive range and supporting displaced communities.
- Kyriakos Kalaidzidis (Greece): Oud player illuminating shared Islamic and Mediterranean musical histories.
- Hamid El Kasri (Morocco): Gnawa maestro celebrated for spiritual collaborations with global artists.
- Qalali Folk Band (Bahrain): Preservers of fijri, the UNESCO-recognized songs of pearl divers.
- Derya Türkan (Türkiye): Kemençe virtuoso blending Turkish classical music with jazz and film scores.
Established in 2018 by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and Prince Amyn Aga Khan, these awards honor excellence in musical cultures shaped by Islam, promoting spiritual insight and cultural resilience. But here’s the question we leave you with: In a world where traditions are often overshadowed by modernity, how can we ensure these musical legacies not only survive but thrive? Share your thoughts below—let’s spark a conversation!
