Dam Mast Qalandar is a globally recognised song, best known for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s version. Now, Glasgow-based act Rootless are giving it their own twist.
By Graeme Smith
“Dam Mast Qalandar is one of those songs that carries a huge emotional and spiritual power,” say the band when I ask them what drew them to cover it. “It has travelled across generations, cultures and communities, and it continues to bring people together wherever it is performed. We were drawn to its energy, its message of devotion and celebration, and the sense of journey that sits within it.”
Rootless are no strangers to us. Last summer we covered their debut single RakiTaki Tanana which introduced us to the unique prospect that they are. The band fuse Romani and Indian traditional styles, celebrating the shared culture which is often overlooked.
“As Rootless, we are always interested in music that connects cultures and histories,” they go on to say about their new cover. “This song gave us a beautiful opportunity to honour a well-loved Sufi tradition while also bringing our own musical identity into the interpretation.”
A sense of celebration hits you right from the start of their rendition of Dam Mast Qalandar. Bright brass sets the early tone while a funky, lively percussive undercurrent gets you moving. Chanting vocals bring the soul while the beat never quits. This is a song and performance that’s designed to bring a smile to your face.
Like RakiTaki Tanana, Rootless has paired the song with a video, one that’s full of narrative, atmosphere, and energy. The video is produced by AG Productions, a new Roma-led multicultural production company whose aim is to create high-quality original music and exciting collaborations that put Roma culture into the mainstream alongside other communities.
“For the video, we were inspired by the idea of a journey,” say Rootless. “The visuals are full of movement, colour, and energy, reflecting both a physical and spiritual search for meaning, connection and belonging. Rather than creating a straightforward performance video, we wanted to tell a story that captures the spirit of travel, discovery, and transformation.”
One of the things that stood out about RakiTaki Tanana for me was a theme of connection, one that carries through to Rootless’s latest release. “Dam Mast Qalandar speaks to spiritual connection, devotion and celebration, but it also has the power to connect people across cultures, languages and backgrounds,” say the band. “In our version, that sense of connection appears through the meeting of Roma and South Asian musical traditions. It is not just about blending sounds, but about recognising shared histories, journeys, and emotions. The song allows us to celebrate difference while also showing how much our cultures can speak to one another.”
Speaking of connection, I was also interested to learn what a Rootless live show would be like. The group have just performed at Elim Church in Glasgow for Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month and have another show coming up at the Glasgow Mela on 5 July 2026 (2:15pm). I asked them what the audience might expect.
“A very energetic and uplifting live experience,” the band say. “Rootless performances are full of rhythm, movement, emotion, and celebration. Our shows are about bringing people together. There is a strong sense of storytelling but also joy and shared energy. We want audiences to feel part of the experience, not just watching from the outside.”
That sounds like a blast! After next week’s show, Rootless are planning to continue to explore just where their distinct sound will take them. “We hope to take the project to more festivals, cultural events and audiences beyond Glasgow,” they say. I’m sure they’d go down well in York.
You can keep up to date with all Rootless are doing by following them on Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, Instagram.
Dam Mast Qalandar is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
