Sufi Heritage Fest Returns to Delhi
The Sufi Heritage Fest has returned for its second edition at Sundar Nursery in Delhi, celebrating Sufi music, poetry, and cultural expression with performances and workshops. The festival's revival marks growing interest in heritage festivals and their ability to foster dialogue across generations.
The festival is conceptualized by Yasmin Kidwai and Himanshu Anand under their "Culture Plus" initiative, which aims to create cultural experiences rooted in purpose and place. The inaugural event in March 2025 was organized by the Sufi Heritage Project in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, paying homage to Delhi's 700-year-old Sufi legacy. This year's event features a lineup that includes prominent artists like Daler Mehndi, Sona Mohapatra, and Sonam Kalra. The programming is spread across two distinct stages: "Samaa" for legacy and contemporary performers, and "Bebaak," a platform for modern interpretations and experimental sounds engaging with Sufi thought. Beyond the musical performances, the festival has expanded its immersive experiences. A key highlight is the Sufi Bazaar, a curated marketplace showcasing heirloom crafts, textiles, and artisanal traditions from across India. Additionally, the "Kargaah" hub offers hands-on workshops in traditional crafts like calligraphy and embroidery. Delhi's connection to Sufism is profound, with the city historically known as "Bais Khwaja ki Chaukhat," or the threshold of 22 saints. Sufi saints arrived in the region between the 12th and 14th centuries, establishing hospices (khanqahs) that became centers for spiritual guidance, community kitchens, and cultural exchange. The city's most enduring spiritual presence, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and his famed disciple, the poet Amir Khusrau, were central to this heritage. Khusrau is largely credited with creating the tradition of Sufiana Qawwali, blending Indian musical traditions with Turkish and Arab instruments. The first edition of the festival featured a celebrated lineup that included singer Rekha Bhardwaj, the renowned Nizami Brothers, and the folk-fusion band Kabir Café.
