Sufiyaana mehfil echoes ‘suron mein rooh ki gehraai’

Anticipation filled the hall at the India Islamic Cultural Centre for Dayar-e-Ishq, a Sufi and ghazal showcase by Anita Singhvi. The programme began late due to city traffic, which delayed several dignitaries, including the Lieutenant Governor.When Singhvi finally took the stage, accompanied by a small ensemble, she opened the recital with ghazals by Shakeel Badayuni, including Mere Ham-Nafas Mere Ham-Nawa. She approached the compositions as a conversation and dialogue with the audience, sharing details about each ghazal. The performance spanned nearly two hours, drawing a crowd that included notable guests like Jaya Bachchan. Nasir Ali, chairman of the Indian Heritage and Health Care Centre, who organised the event, spoke about how sound never dies, adding, "Madam Anita Singhvi’s velvety voice seems to bridge creation and creator.” ‘Shayari insaan ko insaan se jodti hai’Talking about Singhvi’s voice, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena observed, “Unki awaaz mein tehzeeb hai, suron mein rooh ki gehrai hai. Unki awaaz mein sadagi hai, dikhawa nahi balki ehsaas hai .” Reflecting about how Sufi saints and patriots have sung beautiful kalaams, Saxena added, “Music teaches us to pause and to introspect. Music is the biggest religion. Shayari insaan ko insaan se jodti hai aur mazhab ko mohabbat mein dhaal deti hai.”