The Kolkata debut of Jahan-e-Khusrau is homecoming for me, says Muzaffar Ali
Times of India | 4 April 2025
Muzaffar Ali with wife Meera Ali; All praises for the city’s ‘artistic audience’, Muzaffar Ali says that the Kolkata edition of the festival could make for ‘the best of all Jahan-e-Khusrau put togetherPic: Ajay Kumar Gautam Muzaffar Ali speaks excusively to us about bringing the celebrated Sufi festival to the city where it all began for him
Filmmaker, advertising professional, fashion designer, poet, artist, cultural revivalist – Muzaffar Ali has worn many hats through the course of his long career; one that began right here in Kolkata. Over the past two decades, the Padmashree awardee filmmaker has been best-known as director for Jahan-e-Khusrau – the annual three-day festival of Sufi music in Delhi that Ali launched in 2001. Commemorating the death anniversary of 13th century Urdu poet and mystic Amir Khusrau, the festival is hosted at Arab ki Sarai in emperor Humayun’s tomb complex. Legend has it that this is where Khusrau founded the tradition of qawwali music. This year, there are plans to bring over a second edition of the festival to Kolkata in December.
There are many unrealised dreams that wait for me in KolkataMuzaffar Ali
Khusrau’s philosophy of love
In a world rife with turbulence, Khusrau’s philosophy of universal oneness remains crucially relevant; his message of love and unity, harmony and peace finds resonance among younger audiences with each passing year, felt Ali. “Khusrau is India’s face for the world — an inclusive world without boundaries. As a master blender of cultures, he had positioned India as a global visionary. Khusrau is for a forever young audience; his work finds its equation with the youth, it grows younger with time!” Ali pointed out.
Sufism at an iconic monument
As for a possible Kolkata venue that could host the festival, Ali spoke of the Victoria Memorial as “an obvious choice”. “The spectacular drama of the location truly presents the majesty of this great city. The festival will be a humble Sufi’s tribute to the world against the stunning backdrop,” he said. Describing Jahan-e-Khusrau as “a blend of all arts in the spirit of the Sufi soul”, Ali emphasised the mystical, spiritual nature of the performances at the festival — a facet that makes the three-day showcase unique. “At Jahan-e-Khusrau, the artiste sings of the divine, for the divine. It is a sacred pilgrimage for both the artiste and the audience,” Ali said.
This year, the festival will present a global face of Sufi music, with artistes from Iran, Turkey & the very best of HindustanMuzaffar Ali
A homecoming of sorts
For Ali, Kolkata remains special — the “birthplace” of his art and creativity; a city that helped shaped much of his aesthetic. “Kolkata had sharpened my insight into poetry & indulged me as a filmmaker. It opened my eyes to cinema, as I watched Satyajit Ray working on a film while we were both in (the advertising agency) Clarion — he as an art director and me as an assistant account executive. Kolkata has been more than a muse, it is indeed a homecoming each time. There are many unrealised dreams that wait for me here,” Ali said. Ali described Jahan-e-Khusrau as a performance that becomes “a cinematic sama, integrating poetry, music and dance on a stage like a seamless film”.
A performance at the the 25th anniv of Jahan-E-Khusrau in February
A work of art in progress
Over the years, the festival has grown with its audience. For the 2025 edition, there are plans to create an innovative and immersive presentation — said Ali, who is working with photograper-curator Kounteya Sinha to bring the festival to town. Ali said there will be “surprises for the Kolkata audience” and visitors to the City of Joy.