Separation with Gusto

By DHNS, "Mystics mesmerise" - Deccan Herald - Bangalore, India
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Despite being from different geographical locations, backgrounds and cultures, the chosen participants dropped their egos and let the music take over the evening

It seems Bangaloreans appreciate all kinds of music. While Friday saw a tribute to the classical style, Saturday spread the message of brotherhood and God, at an All India Sufi and Mystic Music Festival, Ruhaniyat.

With a jam-packed audience at the Bowring Institute, the concert was an enriching experience.

Despite being from different geographical locations, backgrounds and cultures, the chosen participants dropped their egos and let the music take over the evening.

Starting the concert were the Dayaram Saroliya and group from Madhya Pradesh. These Kabirpanthis (followers of Kabir Das) gave a glimpse of Kabir’s poems and songs which carry deep messages with simplicity.

Following them were Kachra Khan and Mamma Khan from Rajasthan who sang songs by Meera Bai. They began with Naachi Na Jani, a song that speaks about those who are in love with the ultimate truth, and followed it with a symbolic love epic called Umar Madhavi.

After listening to this vibrant group one wondered how they could sing these melancholic songs about separation and betrayal with so much gusto.

The night also bore witness to a visiting Sufi group from Iran called Baran Music Ensemble. The capsule that they had created had a flow of Sufi poems consisting of similar themes of love, peace and harmony. Subjects that seem to be the need of the hour. They began with an instrumental piece followed by a Fakkir’s poem which spoke about separation and love and concluded it with a Rumi’s poem.

The language never seemed to be a barrier when they performed as it seemed the audience immediately connected with their vibrations.

The soul searching voice of Parvathy Baul from Bengal, reverberated the open-air concert when she spontaneously started singing in her unbelievable range. With the sole support of Ektara in her right hand and a small drum in her left, she mesmerised the audience with her deep conviction.

The night then gave way to other groups like Nanak-Manak Brothers from Punjab and Sufi qawwalis by Ghulam Sabir and Ghulam Waris from Delhi.

Such a feast of Sufi and mystic music literally took the audience to the spiritual realm of Ruhaniyat gluing them to their seats till the very end.