Music of love

First female Hindustani vocalist to be accepted into a lineage of traditional qawwals (Sufi/ Islamic mystic singers), Sufi singer Smita Rao Bellur’s connection with music is akin to that with the divine power. Her mellifluous voice traversing through genres carries a charm that will bring you closer to the divine.

Trained in the Hindustani classical khayal from Jaipur Kirana Gharana, for Bellur a qawwali is justified when it is supremely Sufi in nature and oozes of tasavvur (imagination) of the almighty.

“People aren’t clear about qawwali and are using it loosely. It should be about soaking in the love of God and that love is strong, eternal and uplifting. If these emotions are not in any Sufi song then it can’t be called one. Sufi love talks about the love that is moving upward and with very high energy,” says the singer who stays far away from the conventional set-up of qawwal singers when performing.

“I believe in keeping true to the nature of the genre in terms of its originality. I sing qawwali but not with chorus behind me singing and clapping,” she adds. For Bellur, Sufism is a thought that can penetrate through genres. Taking this thought forward, the singer combining her love for Sufism and qawwali is set to bring a musical show Kun Faya Koon – Sufi Verses of Love filled with songs in praise of God in January.

With a set of traditional mystical poetry from the Sufis, saints, and poets of the sub-continent, woven into a thematic presentation with insights, anecdotes and stories, the show will be scripted and narrated by writer-poet Suhail Akhtar Warsi.

Through this show, Bellur promises to bring forth some authentic Sufiana Qawwali, Sufi geet and Sufiana Ghazal that is set in rich Indian Classical ragas.

“Sufiana Qawwali has songs in praise of God (Hamd), The Holy Prophet, it is about Sufi saints (Manqabat) and about love (Nisbati), good values or philosophical thoughts (Aarifaana qalam) to name a few. Poetically, it may be a ghazal, geet or nazm. Hazrat Amir Khusro has given us Qoul, Qalbaane, Rang, and also adapted Sadra, Basant, Bidai and other folk songs into Sufi music. They all portray emotions of joy, love, and virah (separation),” says the singer.

For Bellur who spent a decade as an IT professional before following her heart, finds Sufism a match for all genres. “Sufi music could be in Hindustani classical bandishs, ghazal or qawwali. When used in Khayal singing it is open to improvisation, but in a ghazal is difficult as it is about conveying the thought process of the poet in an exact manner,” she explains.

According to Bellur, melodious and heart-warming music will always be a man’s companion. “When a person faces any adversity or starts to look for the deeper meaning in his life, he is drawn towards his roots or the Divine by things earthy, authentic and wholesome; those that appeal to his senses, but not those that give instant gratification. Something lasting, and real is what he looks for,” she muses.