By Vikas Hotwani - Expressindia - Mumbai, India
Friday, July 14, 2006
A music that dissolved the remoteness between God and devotee, transcending all religious barriers. A genre so mystical, it left no scope for materialism of any kind. At least, that was what Sufi music originally was. But no longer. This lofty and pure music now lends itself to dance programmes, art exhibitions and even fashion shows for exclusive designer collections. Sufism is in, and how. The notes are now a money-making jingle.
‘‘It is true that way too much attention is been given to Sufi music that was first popularised by Junoon. It is a tag that people find cool and marketeers find convenient to use. However, there’s need for an understanding of what ‘Sufi’ actually is,’’ says Atul Churamani, vice president, ANR Publishing and New Media.
Also, the music is compromised a great deal, under the influence of market forces. ‘‘There needs to be a good balance between the purist approach of the artist and the commercial approach of the marketeer. Just how much to adjust is a decision that one needs to make,’’ adds Churamani.
Sufi’s appeal is international and it has found great acceptance in countries like Iran, Turkey, Sudan and even Israel. In India, its spread was mainly due to fakirs who travelled throughout the country and picked up local styles and nuances. ‘‘Traditionally, it has been the music of the fakirs in India. It is devotional in nature,’’ says Nutan Fernandes, Operational Manager, Rhythm House, Kala Ghoda.
Abida Parveen and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are the faces of Sufi music being presented in its most genuine form. Though this music has always had a very niche audience, the latest entrants in the list of loyalists are people who simply use it as a de-stressing tool.
Also, it is the unique attributes of this music that make its ability to blend a bit difficult. ‘‘Sufi is not music but a belief and a state of mind that has its own freedom and love towards God. Hence, any attempt to incorporate this kind of music in a pre-decided plot of a movie that is already a work of fiction leaves very little scope for complete authenticity,’’ says singer Kailash Kher, adding, ‘‘Simply adding words like Allah, Ali or Maulla doesn’t make Sufi music.’’
Since every art form is susceptible to change, many artists believe that as long as the underlying philosophy is maintained, modern influences do not make much of a difference. Renowned Sufi singer Shubha Mudgal says, ‘‘No art form can remain static and therefore, change is always necessary. But to brand a piece of music as being Sufi merely as a marketing strategy is wrong.’’
Thursday, November 16, 2006
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Thursday, November 16, 2006
Pop goes SUFI
By Vikas Hotwani - Expressindia - Mumbai, India
Friday, July 14, 2006
A music that dissolved the remoteness between God and devotee, transcending all religious barriers. A genre so mystical, it left no scope for materialism of any kind. At least, that was what Sufi music originally was. But no longer. This lofty and pure music now lends itself to dance programmes, art exhibitions and even fashion shows for exclusive designer collections. Sufism is in, and how. The notes are now a money-making jingle.
‘‘It is true that way too much attention is been given to Sufi music that was first popularised by Junoon. It is a tag that people find cool and marketeers find convenient to use. However, there’s need for an understanding of what ‘Sufi’ actually is,’’ says Atul Churamani, vice president, ANR Publishing and New Media.
Also, the music is compromised a great deal, under the influence of market forces. ‘‘There needs to be a good balance between the purist approach of the artist and the commercial approach of the marketeer. Just how much to adjust is a decision that one needs to make,’’ adds Churamani.
Sufi’s appeal is international and it has found great acceptance in countries like Iran, Turkey, Sudan and even Israel. In India, its spread was mainly due to fakirs who travelled throughout the country and picked up local styles and nuances. ‘‘Traditionally, it has been the music of the fakirs in India. It is devotional in nature,’’ says Nutan Fernandes, Operational Manager, Rhythm House, Kala Ghoda.
Abida Parveen and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are the faces of Sufi music being presented in its most genuine form. Though this music has always had a very niche audience, the latest entrants in the list of loyalists are people who simply use it as a de-stressing tool.
Also, it is the unique attributes of this music that make its ability to blend a bit difficult. ‘‘Sufi is not music but a belief and a state of mind that has its own freedom and love towards God. Hence, any attempt to incorporate this kind of music in a pre-decided plot of a movie that is already a work of fiction leaves very little scope for complete authenticity,’’ says singer Kailash Kher, adding, ‘‘Simply adding words like Allah, Ali or Maulla doesn’t make Sufi music.’’
Since every art form is susceptible to change, many artists believe that as long as the underlying philosophy is maintained, modern influences do not make much of a difference. Renowned Sufi singer Shubha Mudgal says, ‘‘No art form can remain static and therefore, change is always necessary. But to brand a piece of music as being Sufi merely as a marketing strategy is wrong.’’
Friday, July 14, 2006
A music that dissolved the remoteness between God and devotee, transcending all religious barriers. A genre so mystical, it left no scope for materialism of any kind. At least, that was what Sufi music originally was. But no longer. This lofty and pure music now lends itself to dance programmes, art exhibitions and even fashion shows for exclusive designer collections. Sufism is in, and how. The notes are now a money-making jingle.
‘‘It is true that way too much attention is been given to Sufi music that was first popularised by Junoon. It is a tag that people find cool and marketeers find convenient to use. However, there’s need for an understanding of what ‘Sufi’ actually is,’’ says Atul Churamani, vice president, ANR Publishing and New Media.
Also, the music is compromised a great deal, under the influence of market forces. ‘‘There needs to be a good balance between the purist approach of the artist and the commercial approach of the marketeer. Just how much to adjust is a decision that one needs to make,’’ adds Churamani.
Sufi’s appeal is international and it has found great acceptance in countries like Iran, Turkey, Sudan and even Israel. In India, its spread was mainly due to fakirs who travelled throughout the country and picked up local styles and nuances. ‘‘Traditionally, it has been the music of the fakirs in India. It is devotional in nature,’’ says Nutan Fernandes, Operational Manager, Rhythm House, Kala Ghoda.
Abida Parveen and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are the faces of Sufi music being presented in its most genuine form. Though this music has always had a very niche audience, the latest entrants in the list of loyalists are people who simply use it as a de-stressing tool.
Also, it is the unique attributes of this music that make its ability to blend a bit difficult. ‘‘Sufi is not music but a belief and a state of mind that has its own freedom and love towards God. Hence, any attempt to incorporate this kind of music in a pre-decided plot of a movie that is already a work of fiction leaves very little scope for complete authenticity,’’ says singer Kailash Kher, adding, ‘‘Simply adding words like Allah, Ali or Maulla doesn’t make Sufi music.’’
Since every art form is susceptible to change, many artists believe that as long as the underlying philosophy is maintained, modern influences do not make much of a difference. Renowned Sufi singer Shubha Mudgal says, ‘‘No art form can remain static and therefore, change is always necessary. But to brand a piece of music as being Sufi merely as a marketing strategy is wrong.’’
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