Hyderabad to host 750-year-old Sufi Basant tradition this January

“It is simply a 750-year-old contented that we proceed to uphold,” says Muzaffar Ali Soofi Chishti, referring to the Sufi Basant Festival to beryllium held successful Hyderabad connected January 23. On Friday, the Dargah Hazrath Shaik ji Hali R A, Urdu Shareef down Pathergatti, is acceptable to gully an assemblage spanning aggregate faiths, each coming unneurotic to immerse themselves successful music. The colour yellowish volition beryllium hard to miss, with a formal codification that marks Basant Panchami.

Notes from the past

Organised by the Telangana Arts and Cultural Council, the philharmonic evening volition contiguous Mehfil-e-Nizami, a qawwali recital featuring prime lyrical compositions by Amir Khusrau. The contented traces its origins to a poignant occurrence from the beingness of Saint Nizamuddin Aulia, who, aft losing his nephew, withdrew into grief.

“His disciple Amir Khusrau could not carnivore to spot his pir truthful despondent,” explains Muzaffar. “On Basant Panchami, Khusrau noticed groups of men and women dressed successful yellow, carrying dhols and yellowish flowers, singing joyfully. When helium asked them why, they said they were celebrating outpouring and heading to the Kalka Mandir to connection flowers and gladden the goddess. Khusrau dressed similar them and went to his guru, singing, and successful the end, lifted his spirits.”

Inspired by this legend, Muzaffar began organising the yearly solemnisation successful Hyderabad successful 2014.

For civilization enthusiasts

Now successful its eighth variation (with a interruption during the pandemic), the festival has go a fixture connected Hyderabad’s taste calendar. “It connects radical done euphony and draws a divers assemblage — from the wide nationalist to bureaucrats, diplomats and ministers,” says Muzaffar. “People of each faiths travel unneurotic to observe euphony and oneness, and to acquisition the Sufi teaching of elevating the spirit.”

The evening volition unfastened with a sarangi–sitar jugalbandi by Mohammed Aslam Khan and Sai Santhosh, accompanied by Amit Bhushan connected the tabla and Sai Harsha connected the clapbox, a signifier of cajón. This volition beryllium followed by a semi-classical vocal recital by Bhushan, with Aslam Khan connected sarangi and Amit Bhushan connected tabla. The programme volition culminate successful spring-themed qawwalis by the Warsi Brothers and Shabaz Ali Khan.

Sufi Basant Festival, organised by the Telangana Arts and Cultural Council, volition beryllium held successful Hyderabad connected January 23 from 6.30 p.m. onwards. Entry is free.