Sufiana Safar by A. R. Rahman

An NCPA Presentation

Love, longing and a search for the divine are at the core of Sufi ideology, and music is regarded as a way of deepening one’s relationship with the creator. In the Indian subcontinent, this finds expression through the genres of ghazal, qawwali and various regional folk-forms, especially from Rajasthan, Punjab and Sindh. Although mainly performed at Sufi shrines (dargahs), these genres have gained mainstream popularity today. The qawwali is especially regarded as the most accessible musical form leading to a spiritual crescendo.

A. R. Rahman, as he is popularly known is an internationally renowned composer and singer. Celebrated for his work in Indian films, mainly in Tamil and Hindi, he is a recipient of several prestigious awards and accolades. With an objective to preserve and rejuvenate the spirit of Sufi music, especially the timeless art of qawwali, he has nurtured a dedicated music ensemble at his KM Music Conservatory (KMMC) in Chennai.

Grounded in tradition, his work attempts to introduce contemporary harmonies and other music arrangements, thus creating a seamless dialogue between tradition and innovation to evoke spiritual ecstasy, inner peace and transformative unity.

This will be a rare concert with Rahman taking the stage to present a bouquet of Sufiana compositions. Supported by an ensemble, he will explore the traditional repertoire including some time-honoured qawwalis like ‘Man Kunto Maula’, ‘Dama Dum Mast Qalandar’ and contemporary compositions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Munna Shaokath. He will also present some of his masterpieces composed for films like Rockstar (‘Kun Faya Kun’), Jodhaa Akbar (‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’) among others, taking listeners on a journey of spiritual reflection soaked in mystic ecstasy.

Box Office now open.