“SUFISM IN BOLLYWOOD”

Sufi song resembles a path of devotion and love which leads to none other than God himself. A person can strive towards intimate knowledge or communion with God by listening to Sufi Songs. But, in the present day circumstances, Sufi music seems to have got Bollywood into its whirl.

 Bollywood has been using Sufi Music since time immemorial.  The lyrics of the songs like “ Chhap tilak”, “ mere piya ghar aye ooo Ramji” from the movie YAARANA or be it “Dum mast ka lander” are  all directly connected to God.

 Songs like…. “Maula Mere Maula” from ANWAR ,A.R Rehman’s “Tere Bina” from the movie GURU, or be “Yaa Ali” from the movie GANGSTER, have touched us as these songs find favor with audiences because it connects them instantly with God. This genre of music has become successful to reach to the audience of all ages and classes. However, Sufi music has become the formula for a box office hit and its elements find their way into every sound track. It is coming out of stereos and mobile phones.  Music director, Anu Malik, the man behind “Rabbi” in ZINDAGGI ROCKS used his “Mehboob Mere” track in the film FIZA in 2000, to experiment with sufi music.    

 If we talk about packaging and purity of Sufi songs, not everybody applauds what seems to pass off as Sufi music today. This is music that should reach out to God. But, Sufi music today is out of key. Songs like “laaga chunri main daag”, originally a sufi song has been depicted on a prostitute in the movie, LAAGA CHUNRI MAIN DAAG. In the name of commercialization the bollywood industry has exploited Sufism to the extreme limit.

 Today, anything with a Sufi touch seems to ensure success in Hindi film music. Songs like “Chaand Sifarish” from FANNA, “Allah Ke Bande”  in WAISA BHI HOTA HAIN became  overnight successful because of the Sufi influence  in it. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan struck a chord with listeners with “Maan Ki Lagan” in PAAP, and his “Jiya Dhadak Dhadak” from KALYUG was among the top 10 for a long time. Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy too have joined the fray. Their composition “Mitwa”, in KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA has a mix of Sufi, Indian classical and rock influences and has been getting positive reviews.

 The Hindi film industry has been credited with popularizing Sufi music. But, the hard core Sufi singers have expressed their disappointment towards commercialization of Sufi music. Sufism is the mystical and ancient branch of Islam that emphasizes the seeker’s path towards ecstatic unity with God.

 However, there should be a balance between the purest and commercial approaches. No art can remain static, and therefore a change is always necessary. The jury maybe out on that one, but the music is still winning everybody’s heart.