iSufiRock Blogs >>

 

March 20, 2006

Dance is a big part of South Asian and Middle Eastern culture. Most of these cultures, except for INDIA, prefer to just have the men dance publicly. Women usually dance in the confines of the home. Traditionally, weddings bring out the best in dancing. In eastern weddings, dance is a symbolic gesture of support and happiness. The more a person dances, the more it appears that this person is happy with the events at hand. Grandmothers, aunties, young cousins, and friends of the bride and groom all participate.

Weddings are not the only occasion people dance. South Asian men and women can visit their favorite SUFI SHRINE, and most afternoons or evenings there is a DHAMAL. Dhamal is twirling like a dervish to the sounds of a drum or music. Although men and women are in separate areas, the music is ubiquitous. Most go to a shrine when they desperately need something. They say a prayer to GOD, but end it by saying, "SUFI SAINT, if this wish comes true, I will show my devotion, and my thanks by performing a dhamal at your shrine." DHAMAL they do, when their prayers come true. Their heart and soul immersed into a thankful vibe, they go round and round, or just lift their arms and dance.

Group dancing to the Sufi sounds is a mind lifting activity. Next time you have your friends over, dim the lights, preferably light candles, and dance to the rhythms of SALMAN'S first song on his album, INFINITI, NATCHOON GI.

IDES OF MARCH IS HERE, but if you are a Sufi, think the best, and the best will happen. HAPPY THOUGHTS IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY.

- Seeme Gull Khan

 

March 10, 2006

This month our feature song is NACHOON GI, by SALMAN AHMAD on his new album INFINITI. SALMAN says that every Thursday night in the city of lights, LAHORE, PAKISTAN, in a place called SHAH JAMAL,there is a big SUFI SESSION.PAPOO SAEEIN, who is famous for his DHOL RHYTHMS whose beat makes you want to sway. Next thing you know you are twirling like a Sufi dervish.The beat picks up, and like jazz just keeps going higher and higher. SALMAN started swaying to the music and the next thing he knew, he was dancing barefoot in a trance. In the meantime, his bare feet started bleeding from cuts incurred by glass on the floor. SALMAN felt no pain. He was not aware of anything but his trance likes peaceful state.This song is a reminder of that evening. SALMAN'S music reflects the joy he was feeling at that time. A joy he just could not stop, it just kept coming. SALMAN says it was only when he stopped dancing that he realized his feet were hurting and bleeding.

We humans are the same; when we are happy, nothing bothers us, nothing hurts. Pain brings more pain and hurt. One remembers even the tiniest incident that was hurtful.

So THE LESSON is simple. BE HAPPY. Sometimes it is hard to be happy, so that's when you turn on the music. Music has the power to change your disposition.

Let the Sufi in you start swaying to the rhythms of music and leave the rest to the brain.The brain will bring you closer to NIRVANA.

PS. DHOOL,is a big drum,about three feet long and about twenty inches in diameter in the middle. Since the oval shaped round drum is so big,it is hung with a large rope from the neck of the artist performing it.

- Seeme Gull Khan

 

March 1, 2006

I will always remember this day with a natchoon gi,feeling . March one was the day we got our first album on I TUNES. We finally had the first south Asian Sufi rock artist on an official web site to download. Until now the only way to buy songs like this was to search record stores and find the one small bin that said world music. The other choice was to find a south Asian grocery store or a south Asian friend who goes to a south Asian grocery store . I have bought CD'S for all my friends and some acquainted also.

Finally I thought there has to be a better way. As luck would have it,my partner,who is now co-founder of this web site,said no problem. We can start a company to bring the best of the Sufi rock sounds to the great highway of the internet.

MARCH ONE will always be the anniversary of a unique music style becoming available to all humanity not just a few. We hope to keep you all entertained with great music to feast your soul.

Have a great spring.The tulips in my garden are blooming and may your garden be colorful also.

- Seeme Gull Khan

 

February 9, 2006

Recently when I had to have an MRI test,I was told to bring my favorite music to help relax me. I did not have to think twice,I reached for SALMAN AHMAD'S ,GHOOM TANA .I can listen to that song again and again and not get bored or tired. The music blends into the sound and vice versa .GHOOM means round,or going round and round like a Sufi does when he or she is trying to get in a trance.TANA,means music. This song,certainly puts me in  trance.

Music has the power to take us into a higher zone than we are in. The benefit of being in a higher zone is , one gets relaxed. One is at peace with ones self. Being a Sufi is basically trying to be happy with ones self . Loving yourself un conditionally and working towards loving others unconditionally.SUFI,is saying life is more important than material goods.SUFI is being thankful and saying the glass is half full instead of half empty .

A SUFI ALWAYS LOOKS AHEAD NEVER BEHIND. A SUFI ALWAYS HOPES FOR THE BEST NEVER THINKS NEGATIVE. A SUFI ALWAYS WANTS TO INCLUDE EVERYONE ON THE JOURNEY TO BLISS, WILL NEVER LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND.

- Seeme Gull Khan