Reviving Sufi poetry

Mysticism was in the air when Manjari Chaturvedi paid a rich tribute to Hazrat Bedam Shah Warsi. Dancing to the tunes of Khanqahi qawwals, Janaab Noorul Hasan and Janaab Arshad Hussian Chisty from Awadh in Sufi Kathak, Manjari’s tribute was spiritual yet graceful. It represented the unique syncretic traditions of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.

Celebrating the written word of Sufi poet Hazrat Bedam Shah Warsi through music and dance, the programme was a unique initiative by Sufi Kathak Foundation under the ‘22 Khwaja Project’ series, a long-term project to revive the lesser known but exemplary Sufi poets of Uttar Pradesh.

The initiative brings to the fore Sufi poets who have written in-depth poetry that is sung even today at various shrines. However, people are largely unaware of the lives of these marvellous poets who lived and wrote under the influence of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
The evening started with the poetry of Hazrat Warsi, Jo mujh mein bolta hai woh tu hai.

With the chakkars as a constant, nazakat in hand movements and poise in every facial expression, Manjari created a veritable spiritual atmosphere through her dance, generally not experienced in other programmes.

It was followed by Amir Khusrau’s kalaam, Main to piya se naina ladai aayi re, sung by Noorul Hasan. With her soft, elegant and flowy dance moves Manjari brilliantly expresses feelings of shyness coupled with happiness creating a beautiful portrait of one in love.
Such was the power of her abhinaya that it appeared as though she was meeting her lover in actuality. It was a beautiful translation of the kalaam. 

 The rustic voice of the qawwal and Manjari’s dance complemented each other, simultaneously adding charm to the overall performance.