By Syed Hasan Zia Rizvi, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Filmmaker-painter Muzaffar Ali organized ‘Jahan-e-khusrau’ at Dilkusha palace in the state capital sponsored by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Rumi Foundation.
This was the 12th edition of the festival that falls during the 709th Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia on March 1-3 in Delhi, followed by March 8-9 in Lucknow. This is the second year of the festival in Lucknow celebrating the unity of diversity of cultures through poetry of the mystics, music of the soul and sacred dance.
UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav released the 5th edition of HU_THE SUFIS OF AWADH on March 8. Honorable Governor of UP was the chief guest of the event on March 9. Lt. General Anil Chait GOC in ‘c’ was the Guest of Honour.
The first edition was dedicated to the great Sufi poet-Saint Hazrat Amir Khusrau, who represents one of the fist Indian leading light with a true pluralistic culture. The second is a landmark commemorating 800th birth anniversary of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi – one of the greatest Spiritual writers the world has seen.
Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, Creative Director of the festival said, “One of our most important objectives for the festival has been to create a bridge between the east and the west and make the audience realize its universalism and to develop new audiences for contemporary Sufi music through the broad mix of festival attendees- tourists, corporate entities, families and local residents, as well as contemporary Sufi music aficionados.”
The festival commenced with beautiful Sufi music and dance by Chand Nizami and Group (Delhi) and Mercan Dede (Istanbul). It continued with the songs and ghazals of artistes like famous cultural singer Malini Awasthi (Lucknow) celebrating with Nazeer Akbarabadi with Ashta Dixit (Delhi) and Ustad Shafqat Ali khan (Lahore) captured the audiences with their overwhelming and soothing performance.
The beautiful lighting with poignant and melodious recitation made the mood of the audience which included many celebrities and corporate of the city.