Workshop on "Understanding Sufi Literature and Qawwali" By Yousuf Saeed (New Delhi) 3 pm to 6:30 pm followed by a screening of his film "Qasba Sanskriti – The Small Town Stories: Amroha & Bilgrami" at 7pm.
While listening to Sufi music and Qawwali becomes more and more trendy, there are debates on what the true Sufi music is. Is it some meditative chanting that provides peace and tranquility to an individual in today’s stressful urban life? Is it supposed to involve a lot of rhythm and high octave vocals using the names of god or Ali, as often exhibited by contemporary Indian cinema or pop music groups? Or is there something more to Sufi music and literature than mere self-indulgence? Does it have a social relevance in today’s life? Could it help us connect to our pluralistic past? Or could it help us learn ways to coexist in today’s multicultural society? These are some of the questions that we hope to address in an intensive short workshop involving music practitioners and media professionals who have been researching or practicing these themes since many years.
The workshop will include an informal lecture-interaction, poetry recitations, screening of audio/video clips as well as documentary films. The main presenter of the workshop is Delhi-based author and filmmaker Yousuf Saeed, who along with his team has been successfully conducting such workshops for last couple of years, the details of which can be seen on www.ektara.org. Kindly register in advance for participation.
What to expect and who can attend: This workshop is open for anyone interested in learning to appreciate Sufi poetry, music and Qawwali better. The participants do not have to have a prior knowledge or training of music, nor is there an age-bar. The participants do not have to be Sufis or belonging to any particular religion or community. Anyone with an interest in music, literature and cultural history can enroll in this workshop. Most presentations will be given in English with some Urdu/Hindi content. Kindly note that this is not a course for learning music, but is meant to learn appreciating music, poetry and their social contexts. Although 4 hours are not sufficient for a comprehensive understanding of such a subject, it is hoped that by the end of the workshop, the participants would be able to better appreciate the nuances of Sufi music, poetry, and Qawwali and its historical context. We wish to keep this half-day completely informal, friendly and homely. You are free to ask questions and raise doubts whenever you wish. The workshop would include a midway break for tea. Registered participants will get reading and listening material (in digital format).
SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOP
3:00 pm: Introduction with the participants; what to expect in this workshop.
Illustrated introduction to Sufism and Sufi music This illustrated lecture makes an easy introduction to the role of Sufism or Islamic mysticism in the development of Indo-Islamic poetry, music and culture.
3:30 pm: A short documentary: Sufi Sama (12 mins, filmed at Nizamuddin dargah) followed by a discussion on Chishti Sufi tradition and the use of music. Musical heritage and legends of Amir Khusrau.
3:45 pm: Introduction to the heritage of Amir Khusrau and Nizamuddin Aulia in the promotion of Sufi music.
4:00 pm Film screening: Sufi Soul – The Mystic Music of Islam (anchored by William Dalrymple). Followed by short tea break (10 mins)
5:00 pm: Sufi literature in north India and Deccan (poetry reading). Also answering questions regarding poetry.
5:45 pm: Where to find the best live or recorded Sufi music in India and what places to visit to see a vibrant Sufi culture. End of workshop at 6:30 pm.
7 pm: Film screening Small Town Stories - Qasba Sanskriti, two films about Amroha and Bilgram. (See synopsis of films)
Entry Registration - 300/- Call: 9642731329