09
May 2025
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
The Tapi Project: A Blend of Folk and Contemporary Sounds from India & Beyond
Royal Opera House, Mama Parmanand Marg, Mumbai - 400004
Embark on a transcendental journey through Baba Bulleh Shah’s verses, narrating his profound life's echoes and timeless Sufi wisdom. Conceptualised, researched, and choreographed by Classical Dancer, Creator of Sufi Kathak, and Restorer of the Dance of Tawaifs Manjari Chaturvedi, experience symphonies of love, ishq, junoon, and reverence all interwoven woven into music and dance—an evening of Sufi surrender.
The ethereal concert unfolds Baba
Bulleh Shah's verses through mesmerising dance of the soul and heartfelt
Qawwali melodies by traditional Punjab musicians. This production honours the
enigmatic legacy of the philosopher and reformer, portraying his life’s
narrative through rhythmic poetry and Qawwali. This unique production is part
of the research project ‘22 Khwaja Project Series’ a pioneering effort
to illuminate the lives and teachings of 22 Sufi Saints and Poets through the
profound essence of their existence and wisdom.
Join us for a veneration resonating with the thought of unity in diversity, as we preserve, promote, and celebrate the spirit of India’s traditional arts and heritage.
Manjari Chaturvedi is the leading exponent of classical dance in India. An unusual dancer, she has blazed her own path, that no one traversed earlier, in the field of performing arts. She has taken the traditional form of Kathak to a different level altogether and has created her own style, her own brand of dance. Her productions as a dancer are projects that are meticulously researched, and documented, as she first studies the original traditions and then finds her own artistic expression of the subject and that expression is always unique, as never seen before, as she pours her heart and soul into the dance. Manjari has extensively worked on gender-sensitive subjects through her medium of dance, exploring the many traditions woven into poetry, music, and dance. With the establishment of the Sufi Kathak Foundation, she has taken a leap further to support marginal artists and provide research opportunities to scholars and students under the banner of the Foundation.
Read moreSufism
Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, delves into the inner aspects of the Islamic faith, seeking a personal and experiential connection with God beyond the outer rituals of religion. Originating within Islam itself, Sufism is inseparable from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and combines the external observance of Sharia (Islamic law) with an inward journey towards spiritual truth. Having spread worldwide, Sufism has found expression in various art forms that blend local customs with universal ideas about spirituality. Creativity lies at the heart of Sufism's culture, manifesting in diverse forms such as food, music, art, and poetry. This creativity is considered sacred and serves as a vehicle for conveying profound spiritual experiences.
Qawwali Music
Qawwali, a musical art form originating from the Indian subcontinent, has a rich history spanning over 700 years. The word "Qawwali" originates from the Arabic word "qaual," meaning 'utterance.' This essence is reflected in the blend of spiritual poetry and vocal gymnastics integral to Qawwali performances. The roots of Qawwali can be traced back to Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a revered saint from Delhi in the 11th century, who belonged to the Chishti school of Sufism and played a significant role in shaping the music culture of his time. His devoted disciple, Amir Khusro, further enriched Qawwali in the 13th century by incorporating musical elements and lyrics from Turkey, Persia, and Arabia into Indian music traditions. This fusion gave birth to a new art form now known as Qawwali. Traditionally performed at shrines in India and Pakistan, Qawwali has become an integral part of religious ceremonies and cultural events. Despite its traditional roots, Qawwali has gained popularity worldwide due to its universal appeal.
Baba Bulleh Shah
Sayed Abdullah Shah, renowned as Baba Bulleh Shah, was a famous Punjabi
spiritual Sufi poet, scholar, and philosopher. Born around 1680 in the small
village of Uch, Bahawalpur, in present-day Pakistan, he was the son of Shah
Muhammad Darwaish, a Paish Imam (prayer-leading person) and teacher. His early
education was provided by his father, and he pursued higher studies under Hafiz
Gulam Murtaza, a renowned religious scholar in Qasur. Baba Bulleh Shah is
credited with mastering multiple languages, including Hindi, Arabic, and
Persian. His poetry illuminates the four steps of Sufism: Shariat, Tariqat,
Haqiqat, and Marfat. Within his verses, he addresses fundamental issues and
problems encountered in human life, exploring various social and political
dimensions.
22 Khwaja Project
The "22 Khwaja Project" was
conceptualized by Manjari Chaturvedi in 2010. The project aims to create
awareness about the 22 mostly unknown Sufi shrines in and around Delhi by
providing city dwellers with an experience through the lives and messages of
the Sufi saints who made Delhi their abode. It aims to organize annual concerts
that promote traditional Sufi music and dance through artists' collaborations.
The project continues to revive the works of former lesser-known but
exceptional Sufi poets of Awadh/Uttar Pradesh. This initiative has reintroduced
people to the lives and contributions of remarkable Sufi poets who have written
in-depth poetry that is sung today at various shrines.
