Concept note – Raqs-e-Sufi- A Musical Dastangoi production
on samaa- Sound of Wisdom
Sama is a means of meditating on God through focusing on melodies and
dancing. It brings out a person's love of God, purifies the soul, and is a way of
finding God.
The term sama stems from the root-verb meaning acceptance by tradition- a
ceremony used by various sufi orders, particularly the chishti order of the sub
continent involving prayer, singing (sufi) and Raqs (Dance). The Sama
represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love
to perfection. Turning towards the truth, the follower grows through love,
deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives at perfection. He then returns from
this spiritual journey as a man who has reached maturity and a greater
perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation. Sama
emphasizes singing, but also includes the playing of instruments & raqs (Sufi
dance).
The unique presentation- Raqs-e-Sufi- A Musical Dastangoi is conceptualized
by Sufi Spiritual Imam or Guru, a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammed
and Gaddi Nasheen of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty Habibullah (of Ajmer
Sharif), Sufi Hazrat Syed Ryazuddin Chishty and has components of Dastangoi
(storytelling), Qawwali (singing) and Raqs (Kathak Dance) beautifully entwined
in the production. It is the first ever Chishty Sufi Dastangoi Performance in
around 900 years of history of Sufism.
Sufi Spiritual Imam or Guru and Gaddi Nasheen of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin
Chishty Habibullah (of Ajmer Sharif), Sufi Hazrat Syed Ryazuddin Chishty says
“India is a land of myriad faiths and religions. World- renowned sufi saint
Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Habiballah) has laid the foundation of
Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb in India. People of different faiths lived harmoniously
with each other. Sufism has added its own mysticism and traditions to this
boiling pot of Indian culture – which gives it a different flavor and fragrance
than most other cultures. This complete intermingling has helped create a
unique brew what we now know as “the Ganga Jamuni culture”, “the syncretic
tehzeeb” or “Unity in diversity” that India is famous for and what the world
loves about India and travels to experience.”
The production was launched at Dilli Durbar – Biggest Music Festival of Indian
Music organised by Dilli Gharana with Ministry of Culture GOI from 10 to 12
Feb, 2023 at India Gate, New Delhi. It was highly appreciated by the
completely packed
audience at the outdoor arena. Artistes who presented all the three
components of the production are all adherents of Chishty Sufism.
Few Media Coverages:
1. Times of India- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-headlines/chishty-
sufis-first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance/articleshow/97995719.cms?
from=mdr
2. ANI- https://aninews.in/news/business/business/chishty-sufis-create-
history-with-first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-in-the-
world20230215162921/
3. The Print- https://theprint.in/ani-press-releases/chishty-sufis-create-
history-with-first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-in-the-world/
1373522/
4. Zee 5- https://www.zee5.com/articles/chishty-sufis-create-history-with-
first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-in-the-world
5. Latestly- https://www.latestly.com/agency-news/business-news-
chishty-sufis-create-history-with-first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-
in-the-world-4845198.html
6. https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/2355663-chishty-sufis-
create-history-with-first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-in-the-world
7. Daily Prabhat- https://www.dailyprabhat.com/chishty-sufis-create-
history-with-first-ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-in-the-world/
8. https://mantras.tv/2023/02/15/chishty-sufis-create-history-with-first-
ever-sufi-dastangoi-performance-in-the-world/
9. WebIndia
https://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/Business/20230215/403
9329.html
10. Jio News https://jionews.com/home/article/5/147419676/Chishty-
Sufis-create-history-with-first-ever-Sufi-Dastangoi-Performance-in-the-
World
11. Daily Hunt- https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/ani+english-
epaper-anieng/
chishty+sufis+create+history+with+firstever+sufi+dastangoi+performanc
e+in+the+world-newsid-n471901718?sm=Y
It was also covered in around 100 plus national dailies and 30+ international
News portal in East Asia, London, US, Dubai, Srilanka, Maldives and many
other countries.
