How Sufism Shaped Bollywood

Words by Auf A. Said

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This is a rare vintage poster for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 1994 concert at London's most iconic venue, the Royal Albert Hall. The audience was slowly drawn in, first through the plush harmonium, beautifully played by Khan's brother, and then constant murmur of tabla and the hand claps of the group's chorus. The night started out with one of Khan's signature songs: "Allahoo" [God Is], which is a 'hamd,' or praise song, and the traditional way of opening a qawwali performance. He ended the concert with the iconic song, "Mast Qalandar." Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was just 48 when he died in August 1997. His music could never be constrained by borders, or stashed away in a drawer. His death sparked a global state of mourning. (Available now as print)

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How Sufism Shaped Bollywood

A still from Rockstar (2011)

Early cinema is closely associated with American and European culture, as it was born and developed there. In the second half of the 20^th century, cinema gained global recognition, evolving with diverse cultural influences and values depending on the region where it flourished. Though cinema has traditionally drawn heavily from theatre, fiction, and painting, it also engages with more niche art forms.

Far from the Western canon, Islamic mysticism played a role in shaping cinematic traditions in the Indian subcontinent. Sufism had long been assimilated into Indian artistic expression through music, poetry, and performance since its emergence in the 11^th and 12^th centuries—long before the invention of the camera.