Sufism is an integral part of Indian mystico-religious tradition and its influence is found in several other philosophies and rituals. Similarly, Sufism, as practised in the Indian subcontinent, has embraced other motifs and imagery. Music has played a significant role in this exchange of perspectives as is evident from this short film.



Hindustani music reflects this amalgamation of mystico-religious ideas. Forms of music like khayal have incorporated elements from qawwali and dhrupad. There are song-texts that demonstrate imagery peculiar to Sufism, but there are others that come from the Vaishnav tradition. Practitioners of Hindustani music are in most cases quite comfortable presenting any of these song-texts, despite their personal religious persuasion.

Here is a madhya-laya (medium paced) khayal presented by Aslam Hussain Khan, who represents the Hapur, Khurja, Jaipur-Atrauli, Agra, and Delhi gharanas. Devan dev Mahadev, a song-text in praise of Shiva, is in raag Dev Kauns and is set to the 16-matra Teentaal.



The Sufi imagery is evident in the first composition included in this audio clip featuring vocalist C.R. Vyas.  Khwaja Deen Duniya Mein is a composition in raag Shuddha Sarang set to the ten-matra Jhaptaal.



But before I end, I must add that while musicians are aware of the hybridity of Hindustani music, it requires a sense of true openness and camaraderie to actually experience the syncretic nature of the music and the culture.