Bollywood’s soul-stirring saga

Hindi film music continues to be enchanted by Sufi kalaam.
Mesmerizinglyrics that connect you to the higher world, an intense and powerful composition with an earthy feel, defines the soul-stirring Sufi music. This chaste embodiment of melody has Bollywood as an ardent devotee, as Hindi film music lovers have often upholstered Sufi numbers up the chart-busters.Remember how Kailash Kher became an overnight sensation with Allah Ke Bande?
“Sufi magic envelopes both the music creators and the lay listeners in it’s enchantment,” says singer Sukhwinder Singh. “Sufism is holy and enigmatic. It transcends all barriers of religion and caste, and connects to the supreme power. Selfless and the pure-hearted who have a connect with the higher being, can write Sufi kalaam,” says the singer who’s always been associated with Sufi music. He had lend his voice to Bollywood’s first Sufi song – Chaiyya Chaiyya, SRK’s train top number. “Since then, Sufi music has stayed on in Bollywood,” says Sukhwinder.
Kailash Kher believes that Sufi music celebrates the pure form of love and it has the intensity and power to move hearts. “Songs like Dama Dum Mast Kalandar, Mora Piya Ghar Aaya, and Rang Di Ni written by Nida Fazli from Dev are the few very powerful and inspiring numbers,” he says.
Sufi-ghazal singer Kavita Seth who sang Mujhe Mat Roko from Gangster says she chose the Sufi style because of it’s pure Godly love. “Sufi music has always been around in Bollywood. The Qawali is what we now call the Sufi music. It is so powerful that it lingers in the mind of people for a long time,” she says.
Seth believes the Sufi kalaam can have various interpretations. “While listening, one can think of the almighty or about his/her love,” she says. Her favorite singers of the genre are Abida Parveen, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Subha Mudgal. Their voice and energy leaves the listeners spellbound, says Kavita.
Well, with the fraternity singing in such soulful praises, seems like Bollywood’s romance with Sufism is here to stay.
The world of Sufi music
Sufism is said to lead the seeker's path towards ecstatic unity with God. This path is opulently embroidered with many means to remembering God, including chanting the names of God, prayer, meditation, poetry, praise and most importantly music. Sufi music is popular throughout the world and hence it's not surprising to find that Sufi musical forms are widely distinct and varied. However, all these different facets of performance have the same goal in mind: to lose oneself in remembering God and in drawing closer to the divine.