INVOKING REFLECTION, CONVERSATION & TRANSCENDENCE | AS FEATURED ON NPR, WITH ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCES AT JOE'S PUB (Public Theatre NYC), LITTLE ISLAND NYC, BARBES Brooklyn AND MORE. Live Sufi music for events & performances. Book Now!
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Based in New York City, Falsa is rooted in 14th century Sufi music (Indian classical mysticism similar to Rumi's elevating poetry) with contemporary arrangements transcending genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions, in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational world musicians.
A Falsa experience can range from Minimalist Meditative to Raga Jazz Fusion to high energy World Improvisation that gets you moving, to a more explosive Ritual-Communitas oriented one featuring dancers and immersive visuals. But ultimately, Falsa is about normalizing the transcendent experience.
It originally emerged as a collaboration between long-term friends and has since evolved into an exploration of what's possible when people are moved collectively by the pursuit of the intangible aspects of a communal gathering. There's a mystical culinary connection here: Falsa gets its name from a tropical berry native to India and Pakistan. And Sufi music is about a state of separation that longs for union. There was a decade in Umer's (vocalist, Falsa) life that he couldn’t return home to Pakistan from the US due to Kafkaesque immigration bureaucracies. When he finally returned and had the fruit again, it "broke through all the intellectualization and numbness I realized I had cultivated to cope, and in the process of giving myself over to the majesty of feeling I realized that home is something you cannot take with you, you have to return to it"
In our music, we want to revere and dignify the most magical aspects of experience that are gifts and not acquisitions, like reclaiming a half-remembered dream. Our music is not about means to ends, but about meaning and transcendence, about healing a wounded alienation we feel in our very highly mechanized, and in the ways that matter, poorly connected society, one performance at a time.
BOOKINGS/CONTACT: FALSA@FALSAMUSIC.COM
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
EVENT LINK
Join Falsa for a transcendent afternoon of live Sufi music at the Brooklyn Museum on Saturday, October 4, from 2–4 pm. Rooted in the 14th-century Qawwali tradition and the South Asian diasporic experience, Falsa blends devotional poetry with transcultural jazz, improvisation, and global instrumentation. Featuring Sufi vocals, Carnatic violin, Hindustani tabla, harmonium, Bass VI, and drums, the performance invites listeners into a meditative and joyful space that dissolves boundaries between performer and audience. Free with gallery admission.
📍 Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Lobby, 1st Floor
🎟️ Admission is free with RSVP to the museum galleries.
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
TIX/RSVP HERE
What does it mean to return - spiritually, culturally, humanly? Falsa's stirring Sufi music guides us into this question, while iCare Fund America's work answers it in action, creating impact for millions in Pakistan. Hosted at DC's legendary Busboys and Poets, this evening invites you into a rare fusion of art and activism - where sound becomes service, and presence becomes purpose.
Falsa is traveling to DC, partnering with iCare Fund America, a nonprofit fund offering smart giving to hundreds of high impact projects in Pakistan across health, education, climate change, and job creation. Over the past 15 years, iCare's work has touched the lives of millions of underpriviliged Pakistanis, especially youth and women. Through this event, you can also choose to support iCare's scholarship fund for STEM education in Pakistan.
Find out more about iCare Fund America: https://www.i-care-america.org
About iCare Foundation Pakistan (country-based partner): https://www.instagram.com/icare.pakistan/
THE SPACE FOR MUSIC: FALSA - an evening of mystical SUFI Music
TIX/RSVP (Venue Website)
Tix on Eventbrite
The Space for Music: FALSA – An Evening of Mystical Sufi Sound
Join us at The Space on Saturday, June 21st for an immersive night of sacred sound and shared presence with FALSA, a transcendent Sufi ensemble channeling centuries-old devotional music through contemporary improvisation.
FALSA’s sound is born of the Qawwali tradition—music rooted in longing, surrender, and the ecstatic path of love. Blending Sufi vocals, Carnatic violin, Hindustani tabla, harmonium, and jazz-inspired rhythms, their performances create more than music—they create a space. A space to listen, to feel, to reconnect with the parts of ourselves we may have forgotten.
This isn’t just a concert. It’s a journey.
In resonance with The Space’s mission—to make room for creative unfolding and deep witnessing—this evening invites you to slow down, breathe deeper, and be fully here. Whether you come to reflect, release, or simply receive, this is an offering for your whole self.
🗓 Saturday, June 21, 2025
🕰 Doors 7:30 PM | Music 8:00 PM
📍 The Space, Montclair, NJ
🎟 $20 – $55 | All ages welcome
Take up space. Let the sound carry you inward.
Celebrate Eid al-Azha with Falsa at Barzakh Café—an immersive night of Sufi music, sacred poetry, and transcendent sound. Experience devotion, rhythm, and communal joy in an intimate Brooklyn setting.
Falsa brought their transcendent blend of devotional sound and improvisation to the iconic Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space — and nearly sold out the house. In this unforgettable evening, the NYC-based collective fused the ecstatic poetry of 14th-century Sufi mystics with raga jazz, Carnatic violin, tabla, and minimalist meditative textures. The result: a spellbinding, genre-defying performance that left the audience moved and resonant.
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
A mesmerizing moment from Falsa's live performance—where soaring Sufi vocals, hypnotic tabla rhythms, and transcendent improvisation create an unforgettable sonic journey. Join us at Barzakh Café for a special Eid celebration filled with music, mysticism, and connection.
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
FALSA - Sufi Music NYC.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
Free Event!
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2024/07/14/summer-on-the-hudson-amplified-sundays
Enjoy vibrantly-danceable live music accompanied by spectacular sunsets over the Hudson River! Amplified Sundays take place each Sunday in July.
July 14th: Falsa
Based in New York City and under the “Falsa” banner, a diverse array of improvisational World musicians rooted in 14th century Sufi music (Indian/Persian classical mysticism similar to Rumi’s elevating poetry) offer experiences that range from Minimalist Meditative to Raga Jazz Fusion to high energy World Improvisation that gets you moving. Through music, Falsa communicates reverence for the most magical aspects of experience that are gifts and not acquisitions, as Sufi music is not about means to ends, but about meaning and transcendence.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
The first official Casa Capullo event will be held on 4/20! We share a night of music, good sustenance from Peruvian food (chicken and vegetarian) and drinks available, cannabis vendor in house.
Get your tickets (🎟️ RSVP Venmo $25 @CasaCapullo) as space is very limited and it'll be gone soon! see you there! (Address will be shared with your purchase of ticket, please no outside food or beverage - vendors will be selling all the good stuff.)
Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with an enchanting night of Sufi music @barzakh.cafe in the heart of Brooklyn ! 🌙✨ Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and great food:
📅 Date: Friday, 12th April 2024
🕗 Time: 8 PM EST
📍 Location: BARZAKH• CAFÉ, 147 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
🎟️ tinyurl.com/sufibk 🎟️ Online $20, at the door $25
Journey into a sonic realm where tradition meets modernity. Falsa, known for their entrancing blend of music, is set to grace the artistic hub of Salon on Kingston this October. Dive deep into the rhythm, poetry, and spirit as they channel the essence of Qawwali, infusing it with contemporary sensibilities.
Salon on Kingston, a cherished gem in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, offers a unique backdrop for this performance. As an ever-evolving, not-for-profit space, it champions the potency of diversity and respect, fostering art, music, dialogue, and delightful surprises.
An extraordinary evening of music with Falsa, an ensemble known for its transcendent exploration of 14th-century Sufi music.
FALSA - Sufi music.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
Saturday, November 11, 2023
2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
The Shades of Blue, all building open house programs are featured in conjunction with the South Asia Institute’s current “Indigo: The Blue Gold” art exhibition by Shelly Jyoti which is focused on and is themed around the history associated with the blue dye derived from the indigo plant that has touched many communities across the world. Through this series of free performances and events, the South Asia Institute (SAI) looks to help highlight, educate, and celebrate the roots and journeys of Chicago blues music and jazz music, world music and South Asian performing arts and share the parallel stories of the color blue dye and Indigo plant’s own journey.
Join us for an adventurous day filled with songs, music, dance, poetry and film!
For our final edition, we have following artists performances & film screening:
2:00 PM: From Here (2020, 89 min. Germany, USA) Directed by Christina Antonakos-Wallace. From Here is a hopeful story of Tania, Sonny, Miman, and Akim - artists and activists based in Berlin and New York whose lives and futures hang in the balance of immigration and integration debates. (Film Screening)
4:00 PM: Vareesha Khan (Poetry)
4:30 PM: Falsa (Sufi Chamber Music)
5:30 : Timothy "Soloman" Bowser (Contemporary Dance)
6:00: Sonny Singh Band (Punjabi Folk Pop, Jazz, Music)
All Shades of Blues events are FREE and open to all.
*The Shades of Blues series is supported by a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
We're thrilled to share that Falsa will be part of the SOLD OUT House Party 2023 at the @brooklynconservatory ! 🎶
This exclusive event tomorrow, Thu Nov 9, promises an unforgettable evening in a historic Victorian mansion, with music, immersive experiences, and delectable treats. We're honored to play a role in supporting BKCM's mission to provide accessible music education and therapy. Catch our set from 7 PM! w/ @roshni_samlal , @sidvak, @pineappleroomstudio and @uberwithanm
📍 58 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY
⏰ Thursday, Nov 9, 7 PM
Can't wait to see you there!
Journey into a sonic realm where tradition meets modernity. Falsa, known for their entrancing blend of music, is set to grace the artistic hub of Salon on Kingston this October. Dive deep into the rhythm, poetry, and spirit as they channel the essence of Qawwali, infusing it with contemporary sensibilities.
Salon on Kingston, a cherished gem in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, offers a unique backdrop for this performance. As an ever-evolving, not-for-profit space, it champions the potency of diversity and respect, fostering art, music, dialogue, and delightful surprises.
Falsa X Samir Langus explores a rhythmically meditative interweaving and conjunction between the worlds of Qawwali and Gnawa. Both bands, Falsa and Samir Langus' ensemble contemporize Sufi traditional singing that take root in Pakistan and Morocco, bringing their own interpretations of the propulsive cycles of their chant and the poetic lyricism that defines both genres.
Featuring contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music, Falsa transcends genre-specificity and cultural preconceptions in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational musicians.
Featured Artists
Umer Piracha- Vocals; Roshni Samlal- Tabla; Siddharth Ashokkumar - Carnatic Violin; Tom Deis - Bass VI and Harmonium; Kenny Warren - Trumpet.
$20 suggested
Pay now online or in person that night.
"BUUNNI Coffee is thrilled to present an extraordinary evening of music with Falsa, an ensemble known for its transcendent exploration of 14th-century Sufi music. This is a rare opportunity to partake in a musical experience that harmonizes the ancient and the contemporary, the familiar and the novel.
Featured on NPR and celebrated at esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Falsa is known for invoking a deep sense of meditation, transcendence, and conversation through their music. Join us as we venture into a captivating musical landscape, where classical Sufi verses meet innovative contemporary arrangements.
Falsa collaborates with a diverse group of improvisational World musicians, challenging traditional genre boundaries and cultural stereotypes. Their performances engage audiences in a powerful, collective experience that illuminates the interconnectedness of our shared human experience.
By welcoming Falsa to our stage, BUUNNI Coffee reaffirms its commitment to nurturing vibrant, global cultural experiences for our community. Embrace the opportunity to participate in this unique and rarely offered musical journey that will resonate long after the final note has been played.
Based in New York City, 'Falsa' is a vibrant ensemble of diverse improvisational musicians. Anchored in the mystic traditions of 14th-century Sufi music—akin to the elevating poetry of Rumi—the group serves up an eclectic blend of minimalist meditation, raga jazz fusion, high-energy world improvisation, and immersive ritual-communitas performances featuring dancers and captivating visuals. But at its heart, Falsa is dedicated to normalizing the transcendent experience through music. The band's name, 'Falsa,' draws from a deeply personal and mystical narrative. Named after a tropical berry native to India and Pakistan, 'Falsa' represents the Sufi concept of longing for union—a theme that lead vocalist Umer has intimately experienced. After a decade-long separation from Pakistan due to intricate immigration bureaucracies, Umer's eventual return was marked by a poignant realization. Tasting the 'falsa' fruit again broke through the emotional barriers he had built and brought him face-to-face with the truth: "Home is something you cannot take with you, you have to return to it."
By weaving this narrative into their music, Falsa illuminates the magical aspects of experience that aren't acquisitions but gifts. In the world of Falsa, Sufi music isn't a means to an end, but a journey towards meaning and transcendence.
Two Sets (FREE)
The Glade
July 13
Sufi Music for Voice | Meditation | Transcendence | Conversation.
Featured on NPR and at Carnegie Hall amongst other venues of note, with contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational World musicians who defy cultural preconceptions and genre-specificity, New York based “Falsa” invites meditation, conversation, and transcendence.
While rooted in Sufi music (Indian/Persian classical mysticism similar to Rumi’s elevating poetry), a Falsa experience can range from Minimalist Meditative to Raga Jazz Fusion to high-energy World Improvisation that gets you moving. But ultimately, Falsa is about normalizing the transcendent experience. There’s a mystical culinary connection here: Falsa gets its name from a tropical berry native to India and Pakistan. And Sufi music is about a state of separation that longs for union. There was a decade in Umer’s (Lead Sufi Vocalist of Falsa) life that he couldn’t return home to Pakistan from the US due to Kafkaesque immigration bureaucracies. When he finally returned and had the fruit again, it “broke through all the intellectualization and numbness I realized I had cultivated to cope, and in the process of giving myself over to the majesty of feeling I realized that home is something you cannot take with you, you have to return to it”
Falsa communicates reverence for the most magical aspects of experience that are gifts and not acquisitions, as Sufi music is not about means to ends, but about meaning and transcendence.
Website: falsamusic.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/falsamusic
Facebook: facebook.com/falsamusic
The Glade
July 12
8:00 pm
Sufi Music for Voice | Meditation | Transcendence | Conversation.
Featured on NPR and at Carnegie Hall amongst other venues of note, with contemporary arrangements of 14th Century Sufi music in collaboration with a diverse array of improvisational World musicians who defy cultural preconceptions and genre-specificity, New York based “Falsa” invites meditation, conversation, and transcendence.
While rooted in Sufi music (Indian/Persian classical mysticism similar to Rumi’s elevating poetry), a Falsa experience can range from Minimalist Meditative to Raga Jazz Fusion to high-energy World Improvisation that gets you moving. But ultimately, Falsa is about normalizing the transcendent experience. There’s a mystical culinary connection here: Falsa gets its name from a tropical berry native to India and Pakistan. And Sufi music is about a state of separation that longs for union. There was a decade in Umer’s (Lead Sufi Vocalist of Falsa) life that he couldn’t return home to Pakistan from the US due to Kafkaesque immigration bureaucracies. When he finally returned and had the fruit again, it “broke through all the intellectualization and numbness I realized I had cultivated to cope, and in the process of giving myself over to the majesty of feeling I realized that home is something you cannot take with you, you have to return to it”
Falsa communicates reverence for the most magical aspects of experience that are gifts and not acquisitions, as Sufi music is not about means to ends, but about meaning and transcendence.
Website: falsamusic.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/falsamusic
Facebook: facebook.com/falsamusic
Enjoy vibrantly-danceable live music accompanied by spectacular sunsets over the Hudson River! Amplified Sundays take place each Sunday in July.
July 9th: Falsa
Based in New York City and under the “Falsa” banner, a diverse array of improvisational World musicians rooted in 14th century Sufi music (Indian/Persian classical mysticism similar to Rumi’s elevating poetry) offer experiences that range from Minimalist Meditative to Raga Jazz Fusion to high energy World Improvisation that gets you moving. Through music, Falsa communicates reverence for the most magical aspects of experience that are gifts and not acquisitions, as Sufi music is not about means to ends, but about meaning and transcendence.
Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.
