Best of world to play at Sarkhej Roza

The term community space is usually attached to heritage buildings around us. The space is there for centuries but community is what's usually missing. In a unique initiative, Sarkhej Roza is reviving the concept and is set to emerge as the cultural melting pot of the city. The 15th century monument will soon have a rare fusion music concert on its porch — the perfect backdrop for soulful music.

According to advisor, Sarkhej Roza committee, Bhavna Ramrakhiani, seven musicians from across the world are expected to participate in the musical fest schedules on December 18. The event would also include a dance festival and hopefully a workshop on the East and West music fusion. "The whole programme may be spread over three days from December 17 to 19. We are finalising the details. The basic idea is to make it an annual feature. And rightfully project the Roza as a cultural hotspot of the city," she said. 

Bhavana Ramrakhiani has been working with Sarkhej Roja committee headed by Abrar Ali Saiyad for over 10 years now, with results starting to show finally. Only last weekend, a Sufi music night was organised in the courtyard where Bengali, Punjabi and Rajasthani artists recited songs of devotion and audience were a perfect mix of Amdavadi citizenry.

A number of eminent citizens from the city have also been involved in the revival of the heritage that was created by the spiritual guru of ruler Ahmed Shah, Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganjbakhs Maghribi. With their efforts, a 500-years-old tradition of celebrating Janmashtami in the mosque has been revived. "Though the same was not organised this time around due to swine flu scare, we shall have the usual celebrations from the coming year," Ramrakhiani said.

The best part about the development of the Roja, however, is the participation of locals living around the monument. "The local youngsters not only use the mosque for prayers but are also directly involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the whole premises," she said.

Sarkhej Roza comprises one of the most elegant and unique architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. In its architecture, Sarkhej Roza is an example of the early Islamic architectural culture of the region, which fused Islamic stylistic influences from Persia with indigenous Hindu and Jain features to form a composite "Indo-Saracenic" architectural style.

The architectural style of Sarkhej Roza is a precursor to the Mughal period in a true amalgamation of Hindu, Jain and Islamic styles. Hindu craftsmanship and construction know-how was overlaid on Islamic sense of geometry and scale. The Roza Complex at Sarkhej was built at the advent of Sultanate era.