The sufi solution
“…The Chishti school of Sufism did not exclude any religion and gave way to a plural Indian identity. This is why the extremists in…
Outstanding rendition – Khwaja meray Khwaja
This is a fabulous, almost flawless performance by Sreeram, an aspirant for the Indian Idol selection. Originally rendered by A R Rahman, this young…
Sufi Art Festival in Ajmer
My friend Syed Salman Chishty, from Dargah Ajmer Sharif sent me this message. I would have loved to be there but such are the…
No One Is Left Hungry at Ajmer
“No one goes hungry in Ajmer during Ramadan” – NDTV – New Delhi, India By Rajan Mahan, For Muslims of south Asia, the Sufi…
An affair with Sufiana art in Ajmer
My dear friend Salman Chishty is holding an exhibition at the death anniversary (Urs=Union) celebrations of Khawaja Muinuddin Chishty. This is such an innovative…
Why Jodhaa Akbar is a disappointment?
The challenge of translating a historical era into a cinematic endeavour is daunting, especially when it concerns historically contested subjects such as the fabled…
In Benazir’s death
It was in the dargah compound of Ajmer when our phones started buzzing with friends and relatives wanting to share grief on the loss…
Ajmer – my scuttled travel plans
Ajmer Shareef is a spiritual centre-point in South Asia. It is not just another Muslim Saint’s dergah but represents the glorious tradition of inclusiveness…
Love All and Hate None – Moinuddin Chishti
Ajmer continues to enchant me…these lines from the last discourse of Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chishti manifest the poignancy of Sufi ways (tareeqat). “Love all and…
Ajmer – this Friday..
The saint of saints (Khawaje Khawaji-gaan) buried in Ajmer is a centre-point of Sufi thought and practice in the Indian subcontinent even today… Pilgrims…