THE SUFI CULTURE

 Sufi mystical poetry, performed as a part of prayers and devotions is conducive to mystical ecstasy. Sufi music accompanied by musical instruments can arouse passions either sensual or spiritual, which is the goal of Sufi music anyway. Hence, musical concerts are a regular feature of Sufi orders.

 Sufi music has a universal appeal as it speaks of pain, poverty, emotions, joys, sorrows, and way of the lives of common people in the context of their ties with the supreme power. The new generation of Sufi singers are promoting their genre of  music as a sound of connectivity, peace and friendship, transcending all borders of  class, creed race and nation.                                

          
 The modern day Sufi singers are a curious clutch of contemporary rockers from India and Pakistan with their guitars and drum sets and a handful of traditionalists. Most of their lyrics are old Sufi poetry.

                               


  Sufi music peaked when legendary dervishes like Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Nizamuddin Auliya, and Aamir Khusro refined it into an elite genre of its own. It is a genre as much at home in a rocking party as in a dargah.

                                
 Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan spread Sufi music beyond the borders of Pakistan. Zila khan, has been trained in songs since her childhood, and is one of the best –known female Sufi and ghazal singers in India. Joining the fray are Shubha Mudgal, Rekha Bharadwaj and Chanchal Bharti.


Sufi singers like….Hans Raj Hans, Nizami Bandhu and Chisti Brothers feature an elaborate chorus on their call and response qawwali with rugged and heartfelt selections.