Rekha Bhardwaj believes that such an initiative helps to preserve and expand Sufi heritage
In SUFI way, the origin of life is the relationship that is with divine. It rejects rigorous principles, and experiences faith through music, poetry and reflection, it creates one of the most inclusive and universal expressions of spirituality. The purpose of the recently concluded Sufi Heritage Festival is to celebrate this feeling in its full glory.
Yasmin Kidwai, the founder of the Sufi Heritage Project, says, “The project was born with a deep feeling that the rich and layered traditions of Sufism, although now more essential than ever, have been ignored in contemporary discourse. Sufism has played a significant role in shaping our cultural and spiritual landscapes, but it is a short time and often. The platform wishes to preserve these traditions and make them accessible to modern audiences. The festival was inaugurated at Sundar Nursery in New Delhi. People were deployed as a solid way to immerse the beauty of Sufi traditions, bringing artists, scholars, musicians and physicians together. “Through performance, discussion and exhibitions, it allowed people to join with Sufi thoughts and art, which is both deep and individual,” Kidwai says. The program was supported by the Aga Khan Trust for culture in India.
Yasmin Kidwai, Founder, Sufi Heritage Project
The trust’s CEO Ratish Nanda says, “Since 2007, the Trust has taken Nizamuddin Urban Renewal initiative in Humayun’s Tomb, Sundar.Nursery, and Nizamuddin Basti area of Delhi. The purpose of the efforts is to revive the real form of qawwali, crafts and cuisine associated with the Nizamuddin region for many centuries. Retish believes that the beautiful nursery serves as the right home of the Sufi Heritage Festival.
Rekha Bhardwaj, one of the famous singer and one of the artists participating in the first edition, feels that this festival is more than the celebration of music. She says, “… This is a movement that nourishes the soul and further the timeless knowledge of Sufi traditions. It creates a sacred place where fans, artists and listeners unite in devotion, reflection and love through poetry, songs and other fine arts”.
Himanshu Anand, CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture in India
Rekha believes that such an initiative helps to preserve and expand Sufi heritage, allowing it to touch the hearts in generations. While serving as a bridge between the past and the present, the first version offered a sanctuary to those who were suffering for a deep relationship – with themselves and divine.
Kabir Cafe, a new-Lok fusion band played a poem of 15Wan Century St. Kabir. They believe that Kabir’s philosophy and thinking mirrors focus on Sufism, spirituality and mindfulness. For them it is an intellectual principle that draws attention to the options we make and the paths we choose, which encourages us to travel a arrivals. Kabir wrote 500 years ago with personal experiences and comments and it continues to resonance and motivate. Commenting at the performance of performing at the Sufi Heritage Festival, Neeraj Arya of the band says, “It was a cultural amalgamation, which had artists performing in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. The fact that independent artists and musicians in the festival are very encouraging”.
Kabir Cafe
LineOn the other hand, it felt that it was like a homecoming for the soul. “From the holy verses of Kabir, Khusru, Hafiz, and Rumi and Mere Baba Gulzar to the raw energy of qawwali, zikar, and whirling, every moment a divine resonance was carried forward. The festival came out like a journey, which started in the golden heat of the afternoon, it dusk and dissolves again.”
Himanshu Anand, co-founder of the festival, says that in the time of increasing polarization, Sufism education is still more relevant, as they have ever been. Yasmin says that this project is not only about heritage, it is about hope. One who sees Sufism as a bridge is a way to bring people together beyond their differences, with compassion and co-existence. The long -term vision of the initiative is to cultivate a constant place where Sufi heritage is observed today and on offline platforms, today to promote dialogue on its relevance.
The author, a ceramic artist, is the founder of Rahul Clay Studio
Published – March 28, 2025 05:10 pm IST
,
#Sufi #music #attacks #cord #polarized #world
