JOIN USIs Sufism a distinct sect in Islam or only a movement that promotes understanding of other faiths? Is the commercialisation of Sufism a blessing in disguise or sounds its death knell?
These were some of the questions dealt with during ‘Appreciating Sufi Literature and Qawwali’ – a two-day workshop and heritage walk – held in the home of Sufism, Delhi, over the weekend.
Commencing at the doorstep of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah – the mecca of Sufism in the subcontinent – it took the participants across Urs Mahal, the Nizamuddin baoli and even Mirza Ghalib’s tomb – spanning many centuries and edifices upholding the school of Sufism.
The curious also got to see documentaries on the theme, hear Sufi poetry by acclaimed authors and even attend a Sufi music concert – experiencing this mystic tradition in all its fascinating artistic expressions.
A wide cross section of Delhiites attended the event, from students and researchers to housewives and even the mildly interested – taking away a trove of knowledge and the essence of spiritual Sufism.
Author Sohail Hashmi introduced the participants to the origins of Sufism, its history and evolution in ‘Dilli’ and its syncretic conventions. As the mesmerised members walked by the dargah on an overcast morning, the historian pointed out the distinct architecture that combined both Hindu and Islamic elements. This was taken forward in the next days with a Sufi music concert and Qawwali by Dhruv Sangari.
Notes of the evergreen Damadam mast kalandar, Bulle Shah’s writings and Chhaap tilak sab chheeni filled the monsoon evening.
Scholar Sneha Chakradhar illuminated the visitors on elements of Bhakti and love in classical dances such as Bharatanatyam while Sohail Hashmi informed them of the Chishti Silsila (order) and Sufi influence on Urdu language. Yousuf Saeed spoke on Amir Khusro and Dr Madan Gopal Singh enlightened all on Sufi poetry in Punjab especially.
An expansive documentary on Sufism Sufi Soul by Simon Broughton, with authoritative commentary by writer William Dalrymple, befittingly climaxed the four-day event.
Dhruv Sangari, member of ‘Ektara India,’ the organisation behind the programme, told us, “Sufism has become a fashion statement today making its presence felt in every aspect of popular culture. However, the engagement is very superficial often, also, leaving wrong impressions on the mind.”
“Through such workshops, we want to build on this interest and spread the knowledge of this
benevolent strain of Islam. We have already held several such workshops in Delhi and Mumbai, and now want to take it to Lucknow, Hyderabad and even to Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Sufism does not just belong to India; it’s a shared cultural heritage and tradition.”