While demoguoges are busily engaged in communal sniping, lucky are those who can shut them out with soothing music of brotherhood and unity
3-day Sufi festival begins;Kashmir an abode of Sufis, Saints
SRINAGAR: A scintillating and heart rendering performance by artists from Kashmir, Delhi and Egypt mesmerised the audience on the first day of a three-day Sufi festival that started at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convocation Complex (SKICC) on 19th June, 2008. The festival being jointly organised by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and J and K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), while Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar, J&K Tourism Department and J&K Information Departments were collaborating with the festival.
The ambience of the conference hall with rich spiritual music and dance took the audience into ecstasy and heavenly bliss. The festival has been organised to commemorate the 50 years of the establishment of J KAACL and to bring home the message that Kashmir, which over the ages has symbolised peace, mutual harmony and togetherness still has the image of being an abode of Rishis, Sufis and Munis. Kashmir always accepted the message of peace and love through any faith that ever preached it.
On the occasion, Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S.K Sinha while highlighting the importance of music in our daily lives said that it believes in no boundaries and has the capacity to transcend all barriers to reach hearts and souls. He said that Sufism links the souls with the creator and spreads the messages of brotherhood, peace, amity and tolerance. This spirit has connected people together and helped in creating harmony in society, he added.
The Governor described Kashmir as an abode of saints and Sufis and said its glorious ethos makes it unique and district in the world. He said that the Amarnath Yatra is a unique symbol of Kashmir’s rich pluralistic ethos, through which the message of togetherness and peace spreads all along. He said that the artists of the Central Asia are also participating in the 3-day musical bonanza while the artists of Pakistan have been performing since the inception of this event.
On the occasion, Chief Minister (CM) Ghulam Nabi Azad highlighted the initiatives taken by the Governor over last four years for inviting different artists and cultural troops from neighbouring countries and Central Asia for showcasing their culture. He said that the main motive for organising such festivals was to highlight the concept of love, peace and patience which was the intrinsic essence of Sufism.
The three day International Sufi Festival concluded here on June 21, 2008 with the sizzling performance by the artists from Syria and Uzbekistan followed by performance of internationally acclaimed Pakistan’s Ajoka theatre group’s landmark production “Bullah” a famous play depicting the life and message of sufi saint Hazrat Baba Bullah Shah .
The final day cultural extravaganza commenced with the Sufi dance of Uzbek in which one dozen artists enthralled the audience presenting 10 dance performances showcasing the sufi tradition popular in central Asia .The performance was highly appreciated by the audience.
The Uzbek dance comes from an Islamic culture and North Indian court dance springs from Hindu roots. These diverse forms interacted and evolved under the Mughal dynasty founded by the 16th century emperor, Babur. For Uzbeks, Babur is a much- admired hero and poet; for Indians, he is remembered as a cruel conqueror. But from either perspective, Babur is recognized as the founder of the Mughal dynasty that blended Central Asian Islamic culture with North Indian Hindu traditions.
Earlier welcoming the guests, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas Secretary, Cultural Academy said that the festival will be remembered for decades together for its vibrant and theme oriented presentations. “About 100 artists from five countries of the world including Pakistan , Egypt, Uzbekistan, Syria and India were our guests for three days and in future we are inviting prominent Sufi singer from Pakistan, Abida Parveen with the help of ICCR New Delhi in September this year,” he added.
After Sufi dances, a play directed by Madeeha Gohar was staged. As per story line the play started with the funeral procession of Bulleh Shah. The religious head refuses to grant permission for burial in the Muslim graveyard unless it is established that Bullha died a Muslim. Qazi narrates the misdeeds of Bullaha in the court room and the story of Bulleh Shah is revealed in a series of flashbacks. The play is narrated by Sona and Chandi who move in and out of the flashback to carry the storyline forward.
(State Times and Daily Excelsior)