'Audience should be more critical'

Sufiana qalams are about life. Happiness, sadness, loss, fear, pain… it expresses every emotion in a single deliverance, says Deveshi Sahgal. Having been trained in Hindustani classical music since the age of four, Sahgal, a Delhi-based multidisciplinary artiste feels that sufiana qalams help artists in expressing their understanding of life in the most beautiful way.

Her passion for the genre and the inspiration which she draws from the legendary Pakistani singer Abida Parveen made Sahgal foray into sufi music. Moreover, after the response that she got from the audience by playing in music festivals and in private shows, she decided to pursue it professionally.

She has performed in Jahan e’ Khusrao in Delhi and Jaipur in 2014, where she shared the stage with Abida Parveen. With a master’s degree in sculptures from the Delhi College of Arts, she has exhibited her sculpture in a few group shows in Delhi.

“I was kind of pushed in the music scene. Every time I sang somewhere, I was always suggested to take it forward,” says Sahgal, who now looks forward to performing in the World Sacred Spirit Festival to be held in Jodhpur.

According to her, there should be more festivals like these which act as a platform for both the audience and the artiste(s) to absorb sufi music. “Sufi music has become a sensation now. Everyone, including the youth enjoys it and festivals like these help the artiste(s) and the audience to absorb everything and transcend into the distance spaces which sufi leads one into,” Sahgal tells Metrolife.

However, as an independent female artiste in sufi music, a genre which reportedly is dominated by males, she feels that the audience has become more accepting and it is not very difficult for a female independent musician to thrive in the industry.

“Being an independent artiste means you have to paddle and ride your own wave with its highs and lows. Its challenging and inspiring to fall and rise to your position of appreciation. Also there are a lot more opportunities today, which has made it easier for female independent musicians,” she says.

“But, I think that the audience should be more critical. I enjoy when I’m asked questions about my music and performance. In this way, is becomes more fun for me and I also get to know where I stand,” she adds.