Shaista Fatima/New Delhi

A power packed live sufi performance by Nizami Bandhu and Nooran sisters enthralled the Delhiites on Wednesday.

The event started in the evening at the Siri Fort Auditorium with Nizami Bandhu brothers, who are known for their qawwalis based on poetry by Amir Khusrau in honour of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.

Clad in a dark green and golden patchwork sherwani the Sufi band headed by Ustad Chand Nizami, Shadad Faridiami and Sohrab Faridi Nizami synced their vocals with their harmonium. The qawwalis were also supported by their adept instrument players.

From “khusrao nizam to tere rashk-e-qamar to “kun fa ya kun” the qawwalis struck the hearts of music lovers. Ustad Chand Nizami said, “kun fa ya kun means “hojana, jese aaj aap humare ho gaye aur hum aapke ho gaye..(to be..just like today we belong to you and you belong to us…)

Sufism is meant for all; music is often said to be the binding force for people. The Nizami Bandhu brothers got a huge round of applause when their tabla player played with that of Lord Shiva’s damru.

They winded up with a tabla jugalbandi (synchronisation) where the audience's clapping was synced with the taal (drum beats).

Next came the Nooran Sisters, Jyoti and Sultana Nooran who are known for their song “tuk-tuk”, “Patakha Guddi” and many singles.

The camaraderie between the Sufi bands was seen when the Nizami Bandhu brothers watched the first half of the show by the sisters and before leaving bestowed them with a tabarrukh (small token of appreciation by the teachers or Ustads given to the upcoming talents or disciples). 

Clad in a simple attire of loose fitted A-lined kurta-pajama the sisters filled the stage with their energy and one to one interaction with the audience. Jyoti Nooran’s opening Alaap (the starting vocals as picked by the artists) for their song “mast kalandar” was met by lot of applause.

The audience then requested for their all time favourite “Ali Ali, Patakha Guddi, Tuk Tuk..”

Charged by the energy the Nooran sisters got up from their podium and walked all over the stage, engaging the audience with their tracks.

The audience responded by dancing and waving their hands. It was indeed a charged-up moment.

The Nooran Sister ended with the famous “Allah Hu and Ali Ali”.

The event was organized by India Today Network and saw a footfall of who’s who of Delhi. The auditorium was packed.