Striving for musical harmony

The city witnessed a confluence of Urdu, Indian and Turkish music last week at its first-ever Sufi festival, Jashan-e-Khusrau, which took place at different venues across the city. Arranged by the Turkish Consulate in Hyderabad, the three-day music festival featured performances by Sufi musicians from across the country and an act by a Turkish troupe of singers.

Event secretary Nawab Bahadur Khan said, “This is the first time that the South has witnessed such a festival. The event took place within three months of its conception and we were fortunate enough to rope in the musicians we wanted and also receive government support.”

Pointing out that the event was a step toward communal harmony and national integration, President and convener Muzaffar Ali Soofi said, “Our sole purpose is to improve relations between communities. Next year too, it will be a non-commercial event focusing on Sufi lineage and music.”

Turkish Consulate General Murat Omergulu promised, “We’ll be sure to extend our support to this festival next year as well.”