Ameer Khusrau - the greatest proponent of classical Hindustani music

25 February, 2013

In an essay 'Sarmad Shaheed', Moulana Abul Kalam Azad described Sufism as synonymous with love, boundless goodness, philanthropy, tolerance and humanity to heal the lacerated heart. Tasawuf (mystic consciousness) facilitates intellectual development and creativity in cultural spheres. It advocates peaceful co-existence for all faiths; it inspires to raise the life from mundane to spiritual.

Tasawuf is a process in which ‘Self’ becomes ‘Fana’ or ‘effaced’ and consequently turns into a source of ‘Baqa’ or ‘eternity’. “Duniya ke taraf peeth kare, to Khuda ki taraf moonh hota hai”(If you turn your back to the world you will face God). In Sufism, ‘discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, color or creed is un-Godly.

Sufism traces its origin precepts to Hazarat Mohammed (PBUH) through his cousin and son-in-law, first Imam and 4th Caliph of Islam Hazrat Ali (KAW). There is only one connection ‘Naqshbadiya’ which claims its origin to Hazrat Abu Bakar, the 1st Caliph of Islam. According to great Iranian scholar Abu Rayhan Albiruni, the ‘Sufi’ word is derived from the Greek word ‘Sofia’ meaning wisdom. The Sufi practiced asceticism and shunned the pomp and pursuit of pleasure flouted by Umayyad, Abbasi, Khilji and Toughlaq dynasties. They never preferred the company of feudal aristocrats for pleasure.

Today the picture of gun-totting terrorists, bombs and preachers-of-hate is in absolute contrast to the cool, inspiring, loving, smiling and reassuring images that conjure up when we remember Nund Reshi, Lalleshwar or Dehat Bibi, the saints of Kashmir Valley. Pass through a cent per cent Non-Muslim locality and hark the melodious renditions of folk singers reciting: “Chap tilak sab cheeni, baat ajab keh dini, mohe suhagan keenhi, monse nayna milayke…….” (The eyes met and I gave up all the symbols of faith, my beloved spoke some enchanted words and made me a groom). You instantly knew the creator of these words – Ameer Khusrau.

Visit any dargah in your town when you feel exhausted and need some urgent peace of mind and the sacred ambience, the Qawaals will be there to welcome you with “Haidreem Qalandram mastam, banda-ey Murtaza Ali hastam, Peshway tammam rindanam, ke sag-e-kooye-Yazdanam” (I’m a mendicant of Haider’s order, I’m a pure disciple of Ali Murtaza, who is the leader of all the Universe. I’m the dog of the lane of Mustafa (PBUH).)

You might not understand the full meaning of the lyrics but music and the recitation entrances you, enthralls your whole existence and you are transported into a region of eternal peace. It happens to be a soothing spiritual experience, a sensual delight for the itchy ears and a time spent that you would never like to forget. You were with Amir Khusrau, the Sufi Saint who was the legendary musician, poet, scholar, inventor, innovator and warrior. History remembers him as the greatest proponent of Classical Hindustani music, Gazal, Masnawi, Qata, Rubai, Do-baiti and Paheli. He is the father of KHARI BOLI; he had cut the traditional Mirdang into varied proportion and created TABLA; he had invented Sitar; Hindi and Urdu both the languages find their origins in his work.

Abul Hasan Yamin Uddin Khusrau aka Ameer Khusau was born to a Balkhi (a town in Afghanistan) father Ameer Saifuddin and Indian mother of Delhi in 1253 AD. Khusrau has a unique record of serving seven Sultans of Delhi. His nearness to so many kings had never kindled in him any spark of proud, aloofness and imperiousness. He was a devout follower of Hazrat Nizam Uddin Aoulia. The attachment between the master and disciple was so deep and sublime hat Khusrau died within weeks after the death of his beloved Guide. He is buried just 40 feet near the grave of Hazrat Nizam. He entered the eternal kingdom of Peace in 1325 AD but he had left behind a wealth of culture and spirituality that would remain unmatched till the civilization lives.