Sufi Tradition

Recently, Prime Minister has attended the 25th Anniversary of the Sufi Music Festival 'Jahan-E-Khusrau' at New Delhi.

• About Sufism: It is a mystical Islamic belief system emphasizing spiritual closeness to God through love and devotion. It played a significant role in fostering Ganga-Jamuni culture, a syncretic blend of Hindu and Muslim traditions.

o Qawwali, devotional music, is an essential part of Sufi tradition.

o Dargahs (shrines of Sufi saints) serve as cultural and spiritual centers.

• About Sufi Tradition: It emphasizes love, devotion, and unity with God over ritualistic practices.

o It promotes values like peace, tolerance, and universal brotherhood.

o Notable Sufi saints include Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya, and Amir Khusrau.

About Amir Khusrau: Known as ‘Tuti-yi-Hind’ (Parrot of India), a key figure in North India’s syncretic culture.

o He contributed to Indian classical music, qawwali, and the development of Hindavi (a precursor to Hindi and Urdu).

• Khusrau’s Life and Patronage: Became a professional poet at 20 and served five Sultans – Muizuddin Qaiqabad, Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. He wrote in Persian (the court language) and Hindavi.
• Disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya: Khusrau was the most beloved disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya.

Khusrau’s Legacy: His poetry combined Persian, Turkic, and local influences, fostering Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.