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| Edited By: Chhavi Bhatia |Source: DNA |Updated: Mar 24, 2017, 12:16 PM IST
Film-maker Muzaffar Ali is famous for weaving poetry into films, so much so that lovers of Indian cinema still gush over Umrao Jaan — the story of a courtesan. An artist, poet, fashion designer, culture aficionado, and a Sufi at heart, Ali is a man of many shades.
Back in the capital with the 13th edition of the World Sufi Music Festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau, founded by Ali and held under the aegis of Rumi Foundation, the film-maker talks to DNA about the relevance of Sufism in current times, its influence on his work and life, among other things.
The best way to articulate the significance of Sufism is to understand that it never lost its meaning. It has been around for centuries. It never got lost in the shadows of other religions or sects. Sufism is the illumination of the heart, it is the enlightenment of the soul, and it comes from within. Yes, Sufi saints believed in oneness of the human race, and love for the Almighty who is not described by yardstick of faith.
There is a Sufi in every person. It becomes easier to follow Sufism if you are an artist. I had this quest for peace, to strike a balance between my inner and outer world. It has influenced my life immensely. Look at the wonderful work Sufi saints have done in the form of music and written word. The life they have led makes them more enchanting and attractive. I drew heavily from their idea of love, harmony, and seeing a world without boundaries. Truth is born of harsh realities and I have found answers in the words of these mystics. If you listen to music in my films, for instance Gaman, it has Sufi music.
The idea came to me when I visited Kashmir. I realised that amidst all the animosity and strife in the state, people there were losing touch with this wonderful form of soulful music. They did not know the gems they were frittering away because of all the angst. The Kashmiri Sufiyana community has some beautiful kalams and I felt that they need to be conserved and appreciated.
The festival is dedicated to Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar, the patron saint of Punjab and the peer of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. It will have cultural flavours of Punjab, with artists like Daler Mehendi, Satinder Sartaj singing Sufiyana kalams. Some Iranian musicians too will perform at the event, adding a middle-eastern touch. At the same time, our focus this year will be to reach out to the younger audience so that they can admire the beauty of Sufi music.
The Jahan-e-Khusrau starts today and will go on till March 26th at Arab Ki Serai, Humayun’s Tomb.
