When Coke Studio Pakistan dropped the song ‘Tu Jhoom’, by Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal, in 2022, it got Indians to jhoom (groove) as much as the Pakistanis, who seldom, otherwise, if ever, see each other eye to eye. At Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, the celebration of Basant Panchami, the Hindu festival of spring, is much-awaited when the shrine turns yellow with flowers, the complex reverberates with qawwali, and devotees offer tributes to the Sufi saint. Having originated as a temple dance, the Sufi form of Kathak combines the two traditions, thus breaking barriers, bringing the diverse worlds together, and leading them into deep introspection. It holds true for Sufism as well, which has a strong base in Delhi. The city is now set to celebrate this legacy with its first-ever Sufi Heritage Festival set to take place at picturesque Sunder Nursery, a medieval park complex, opposite the iconic Humayun’s Tomb, on March 8 and 9.
“Sufism has always been deeply embedded in India's cultural and spiritual fabric, offering a philosophy of love, tolerance, and coexistence. In today’s world, where divisions often dominate narratives, the message of Sufism is more relevant than ever,” says Yasmin Kidwai, founder, Sufi Heritage Project, which is presenting the festival in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. “The Sufi Heritage Festival, thus, hopes to serve as a reminder of our shared cultural heritage, a space for dialogue, and a celebration of unity. We hope it will bring people together beyond boundaries, reinforcing the idea that love and spirituality transcend differences,” she adds.
Music, dance, dastangoi, mushairas, calligraphy, embroidery, and food – there’s much in store at the fest, which will see the participation of singers Rekha Bharadwaj, Nooran sisters, Nizami Brothers, dancer Aditi Mangaldas, historian William Dalrymple, among others.
“The artists and performers have been carefully chosen to represent both classical and contemporary interpretations of Sufi traditions. The idea was to create a lineup that balances authenticity with accessibility—bringing both traditional qawwals and newer voices who are reinterpreting Sufi thought in modern ways. Our selection reflects the diversity within Sufism itself, from its Persian and Central Asian influences to the vibrant folk traditions of India to new age artists, who are using new mediums to express themselves whether on digital platforms or through art,” says Kidwai on the artists’ line-up.
Delhi also recently witnessed the Jahan-e-Khusrau, a three-day music festival commemorating the Sufi poet-musician Amir Khusrau, also at Sunder Nursery, which saw the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Sufi saints in India didn’t limit themselves to mosques and shrines. If they read chapters of the holy Koran, they also listened to the Vedas. They added the sweetness of bhakti sangeet to the call of azaan,” the PM said.
However, Sufism is not just music, or poetry and dance, for that matter, “It is a way of life that promotes love, freedom, unity, and inclusivity. Our intent is to create a space where people can immerse themselves in this philosophy, experience its artistic expressions, and engage in meaningful conversations that resonate far beyond the festival,” says Kidwai.
The intent is to make the Sufi Heritage Festival an annual event in Delhi’s cultural calendar. “The long-term goal is to create a movement that keeps the Sufi spirit alive, not just as a cultural event but as a living philosophy that continues to inspire future generations,” Kidwai adds.
