— Sachchidanand Pandey —
India’s unique brand of secularism cannot be imagined without our rich cultural heritage.The beauty of Indian ethos of secularism is derived from Temples and Mosques, Churches and Gurudwaras and Synagogues; from Quawwali and Kirtan, from Ghazal and Thumri; from Rahim, Ghalib, Kabir, Meera, Faiz, Tagore and Nazrul; from the splendors of Taj and Forts of Rajasthan, from the temples of Khajuraho- incorporating a Hindu spire, a Muslim style dome, a Jain cupola and a Budhhistha stupa and Ellora- having 12 Budhhistha caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves, and Akbar Tomb at Sikandara.
The wonderful tradition of syncretic ragas and music by Faiyaz Khan, Abdul Karim Khan, Alladiya Khan, Allauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Bismillah Khan, Amjad Ali Khan, Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Sujat Khan are evidence of people of different religions collaborating to create music of substance.
The unforgettable bhajan “Man Tarpat Haridarshan Ko Aaj” in Hindi film Baiju Bawra (1952) is a shining example of the secular nature of our music. It was written by Shakeel Badayuni, composed by Naushad and sung by Muhammad Rafi – all Muslims.
That narrow religious considerations have never worked, and that there has been no Hindu-Muslim divide in Indian music is best illustrated by a qawwali sung by the famous Hindu qawwals, Shankar-Shambhu.
The contribution of Muslims to Indian, particularly Hindustani or north Indian, music is enormous and well known. Music has always been closely associated with Sufi khanqahs. It is said that raga Poorvi was such a favourite of the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Aulia, that it was performed almost everyday at his place.
The best-known exponents of the Dhrupad style are the Dagar brothers today, and they are Muslims. All the gharanas of Khayal music owe their origins to Muslim musician families- Faiyaz Khan, Abdul Karim Khan, Alladiya Khan, Allauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, Vilayat Khan, Bismillah Khan, Amjad Ali Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
In the past, nearly all the Muslim rulers patronised and promoted music. Jaunpur’s ruler Sultan Husain Shah Sharqi is credited with creating the morning raga Jaunpuri. Immortal ragas like Darbari, Miyan Ki Todi and Miyan Ki Malhar were created by Tansen who was one of the nine jewels at the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
