The rich legacy of Hazrat Amir Khusrau and Saint Kabir — among the most revered and popular poet saints in India — was celebrated at a concert in the city this weekend. The concert, part of a decade-old festival called Khusrau-Kabir, was organised by Banyan Tree on Saturday.
Vocalist Anuraag Dhoundeyal, who has had years of training in Hindustani classical music, was one of the performers. “Both Khusrau and Kabir spoke of a love unabashed. A love that went beyond gender, colour, caste and creed. I don’t think their works will ever be dated or irrelevant. In fact, a love that pulls one deeper within is the need of the hour, and I wouldn’t be able to think of a more appropriate time for Kabir and Khusrau’s works to be relevant,” he said.
Bollywood playback singer Devenderpal Singh believes both Khusrau and Kabir’s work is concerned with devotion, discipline and multi-ethnicity. “Khushrau represents a pluralistic identity and is credited with the creation of many styles of music, while Kabir’s works urge people to look within and suggest that true God is within the person who is on the path of righteousness,” he said.
According to Madan Gopal Singh, a composer and singer, Kabir and Khusrau represent two different ways of looking at the world. Kabir’s is the simplicity of one who is intimately involved with the world he creates. “There is a sense of the material act of actual weaving and all the ambient business of life converging into joyous poetic expressions. One also gets the distinct feeling that his poetic imagination is addressing a distinct community of mesmerised listeners,” Mr. Singh said.
Every year, Khusrau-Kabir concludes with a qawwali performance. This year, the Warsi Brothers took the stage. Hailing from Hyderabad, they are among the most sought-after qawwals not just in India, but around the world. Nazeer Ahmed Khan Warsi and Naseer Ahmed Khan Warsi are recognised for the traditional qawwali, ghazals, thumri as well as classical music. The brothers are in fact descendants of a disciple of Khusrau. Their performances, known for rich poetic repertoire, instantly left a connect with the audience.
