By Shridevi Keshavan - Daily News & Analysis - Mumbai, IndiaMonday, November 26, 2007
Folktales, mysticism, transcendental tunes and an out-of-the-world experiences vibes in the air at Horniman gardens, the venue of the Seventh All India Sufi & Mystic Festival.
With the catchy rhythm of what the musicians call khadtal, the Manganiar community’s performance was filled with an infectious verve. They spun their songs around stories of the Manganiar community who are supposedly decendants of the Rajputs and follow music as a profession; singing at weddings, child births and other significant occasions.
They sang about their rich inheritance of music; of a princesses’ love for her husband’s younger brother who eventually commits a ‘Sati’. While her soul lives on in Rajasthan’s desert land, she as a parting gift, confers musical knowledge to her community. The community has been following the profession ever since.
Parvathy Baul, who is a permanent member of the festival, was high on demand and performed both the days. Just her duggi and ektara for accompaniment, Parvathy’s performance as every year was beyond appreciation. There was a certain light on her face and when her powerful vocals hit the audience, there was no denying the vibrations being rubbed off on them.
The international flavour came from Arash Asady and group from Iran who strummed their Sehtar (stringed instrument) and warmed up the audience for the upcoming performances.
The true highlight was the Whirling Dervishes from Turkey who performed Sema, a spiritual ceremony. During the course of their performance the audience was asked not to clap at all. They whirled blissfully and the vocal accompaniment was haunting. It was a trance and the extraordinary performance stayed on after the festival ended.
Hats off to Mahesh Babu, Nandini and Vinod Raghavan (the organisers) for an experience of such magnitude, a truly eclectic Sufi experience.
[Picture: Art from Parvathi Baul website: http://www.parvathybaul.mimemo.net/].
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