It is common knowledge that the origin of qawwali music is Sahrawi Persia in the Indian subcontinent. The people from this region compose qawwali songs which are then sent to neighboring regions through traders. The traders are known as qawwali traders and their job is to send gifts of various kinds from their region to the farthest corners of India. The gifts which are sent by these traders are generally of various types. These may be fruits, garments and jewelry, silver or other valuable items or utensils.
Khayal is another form of music form which originated from the same region but is now prevalent all over India. Khayal is a type of customary song that originates from the Punjabi language. This form of the song is mostly familiar in the northern part of India, where it is sung to commemorate or express love for a family member. It is also used to wish well during celebrations and other special occasions.
Both qawwali and khayal have their own characteristics that make them distinct. The main difference between the two is that khayal tends to be solemn while qawwali is lively and joyous. In order to get a good khayal song, one must listen carefully to the qawwali. On the other hand, a perfect qawwali song must be performed by a skilled singer in order to match the rhythm and quality.