Context:
On February 28, 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the Jahan-e-Khusrau Sufi music festival, an international event celebrating Sufi music, poetry, and dance. The festival honors Amir Khusrau (1253–1325 CE), a towering figure in Hindustani music and poetry, whose influence continues to shape the cultural and musical landscape of South Asia.
About Amir Khusrau:
Known as Tuti-i-Hind (the Parrot of India), Amir Khusrau was a poet, musician, and scholar who played a pivotal role in shaping the Indo-Persian cultural tradition. A court poet under multiple Delhi Sultans, he was also a devoted disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. His contributions in literature, music, and linguistics transcended religious and linguistic boundaries, making him a symbol of cultural syncretism.
Literary Contributions-
Amir Khusrau’s Literary Contributions-
Amir Khusrau’s poetry seamlessly blended Persian traditions with Indian themes, earning international recognition, including praise from Persian poet Sa’di.
· Early Works and Recognition: His second collection, Wast-ul-Hayat, brought him widespread fame, while Ghurrat-ul-Kamal (1293 CE) explored poetic principles, distinguishing a poet, mystic, and moralist.
· Rise as a Court Poet: At 36, Khusrau wrote Qiran-us-Sa’dain, a mathnavi (narrative poem) in just six months, securing his title as poet-laureate under Sultan Kaiqubad. Also known as Mathnavi dar Sifat-i-Delhi, it paints Delhi as his Garden of Eden with rich imagery.
· Flourishing Under the Khiljis: During the Khilji reign, his Nuh Sipihr (1318 CE) celebrated India’s landscapes, languages, and culture. Influenced by Sufi thought, he promoted religious harmony, notably in Hasht-Bihisht, where a Muslim Haji and a Brahmin pilgrim discuss faith.
· Later Works and Final Days: His Majnun-o-Leyla retold the legendary romance in Persian. After Nizamuddin Auliya’s death, Khusrau mourned intensely, blackening his face and tearing his clothes. He passed away in 1325 CE and was buried near his master. Their tombs remain a revered pilgrimage site.
Contributions to Hindustani Music
Khusrau is credited with revolutionizing Indian classical music. His contributions include:
- The invention of the sitar and several other instruments.
- The development of musical forms such as tarana, qawwali, and khayal.
- The synthesis of Persian and Indian melodic structures, which deeply influenced Hindustani classical music.
Qawwali:
Among his most enduring contributions is qawwali, a form of Sufi devotional music associated with sama (spiritual listening). His compositions, such as “Chhap tilak sab chheeni” and “Man kunto maula”, remain central to the qawwali tradition. Generations of hereditary qawwals, particularly from the Qawwal Bache Gharana, have preserved his works, ensuring their continued relevance.
Khayal and Its Evolution
Khayal, a dominant genre in Hindustani classical music, evolved from earlier styles like dhrupad and qawwali. The Delhi Gharana, tracing its lineage to Khusrau, played a vital role in refining this form. Later musicians, such as Niamat Khan (Sadarang) and Bade Mohammad Khan, further developed khayal, solidifying its place in classical music traditions.
Conclusion
Amir Khusrau’s impact transcends time, religion, and geography. His contributions to qawwali, khayal, and Hindustani music highlight the deep interconnection between devotional and classical traditions. His artistic genius lies in his ability to merge diverse cultural influences into a lasting heritage. Today, his work remains a cornerstone of Sufi and Hindustani classical music, continuing to inspire musicians, poets, and scholars across the world.
