From enchanting valleys of Kashmir to the vibrant and enthralling folk essence of Rajastan, evenings in the temple city promise to go mellifluously mystical as Sufi music fest ‘Samarpan’ or the ‘ultimate surrender to divinity’ was kicked off at the Rabindra Mandap on Tuesday.
Celebrating musical divinity beyond religion, second edition of this three-day national music concert hosted by cultural forum Bhubaneswar Music Circle in collaboration with State Tourism department, is dedicated to traditions of Sufi and other devotional music genres.
The aura of devotional offerings of mystic saints was felt in the commencing concert staged by Srinagar-based music exponent Jenab Munir Ahmad Mir presenting Sufiana music of Kashmir and Persia, rendering the soul of Sufism that in one verse says, “Muftsar si zindagi mohabbat keliye, najane log kahanse dhoond latehai waqt nafrat keliye ..” (life is too short to love. How come people manage to have time to hate). The group recited kalaam or lyrical verses of Saint Bulleh Shah and other Sufi saints admiring divinity in every corner and living being.
“Sufism preaches the message of love and brotherhood beyond religion and seeks the divinity within our soul,” remarks Mir Saheb, the noted singer and composer who brought the fresh fragrances of Kashmir valley in the temple city auditorium to mesmerize the audience.
Keeping the melodious aura of divinity intact, Rajasthan-based Jenab Roze Khan and his group of langas and Manganiar musicians carried forward the mystical trance more efficiently to make the audience move on their rhythmic folk beats of popular verses from folk songs and Sufi saints including; “Keshariya Baalam…”,”Jaiya jon jal thal mein dekha jahan dekha tu hi tu..” and laal Shahbaz Qalandar’s “Dumadum mast Kalandar.
Bhubaneswar Music Circle general secretary Khirod Pattnaik says, “We started with the concept to focus on Sufi music last year. The first attempt Samarpan - 2013 was well appreciated by connoisseurs and music lovers. Success of first edition of Samarpan encouraged us to continue with the event.” State Culture and Tourism Commissioner and Secretary Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee along with eminent Odissi danseuse Dr Minati Mishra inaugurated the event.