This is the 15th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world Nizamuddin Auliya’s fame spread far and wide during the 13th century. People from across the region regularly visited his […]
Raqs-e-Rava: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the 14th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. Mahafil-e-Sama were held regularly at Nizamuddin Auliya’s khanqah. Dancing was discouraged at these gatherings, which were meant to foster […]
The scent of the master: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the 13th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. A destitute man once came to the khanqah of Nizamuddin Auliya seeking help because his daughter was getting married […]
A poem for Chammo: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the 12th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world A woman named Chammo ran a den in Delhi during the rule of the Khilji dynasty. Alcohol, drugs, and […]
Love, loss and the twang of the dhunki: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the 13th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. One day, Amir Khusrau and his disciples were walking through a market in Delhi when they heard a peculiar […]
Dilli ke Qawwal Bachche: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the tenth article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. The 13th-century poet, musician, philosopher, scholar and statesman Amir Khusrau formalised the tradition of qawwali during the reign of […]
Khusrau and the tradition of doha: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the ninth article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. The doha can be traced back to the Abhiras of the Gandhara region, as far back as the second […]
Ghazal in Khilji courts: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the eighth article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. Individual instances of the singing of ghazal can be traced as far back as the 13th century. Three prominent […]
The sweetness of sugar: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the seventh article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. Once, at a mehfil-e-sama at Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya’s khanaqah, Amir Khusrau recited a ghazal in the Sufi saint’s presence. […]
The play of Keh Mukarni: Amir Khusrau — a life in verse and vignette
This is the sixth article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world. The Do Suk?han? genre of poetry is deeply rooted in Indian oral traditions. It is a riddle composed of […]