Assortment of kaafis
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SUFI tradition has been so strong in this part of the world that it can indeed be said that Sufi music is in everyone’s blood. Even those who do not respond to its spiritual content are moved by the sheer power of words and their rhythm. Kaafis, qawwalis as well as quals are influenced by this secular message.

The album under review has Barkat Sidhu singing kaafis written by Bullehshah, Shah Hussain and Jamaluddin Aulia. His voice is pure and the lyrics pristine. Fiftyseven-year-old Barkat has been singing since the age of 17 and his repertoire is very diverse. The style of singing is traditional and most suited for conveying the feeling of viraha.

Mostly folk instruments have been used in this album and the orchestration is minimum.

The album opens with a couplet by Sultan Bahu which makes way for Shah Hussain’s kaafi: "Rabba mere haal da mehram tu `85" It is followed by Shah Hussain’s equally popular number "Rahiye naal sajan de `85"

The celebrated folklore of Heer-Ranjha is reflected in "Menda dil Ranjhan mange `85" and "Hun nahin hatda ni mai, Ranjhe di taraf khayal `85"

The spinning wheel is used as a metaphor for the universal wheel of life in Bullehshah’s "Hatthi tirhk pai mere charkhe di `85"

The tempo befittingly builds up to a crescendo as one comes to the end of the album with "Hor vi neeva ho fakira `85."

Mantras are said to have a profound impact on the listeners’ minds and the surroundings. For any mantra to have the desired effect, it must be pronounced correctly. Keeping this in mind, Ninaad Music has recorded these albums recited by the Pandits at Benaras on the banks of the sacred Ganga.

Rudree is believed to be for every tangible and intangible desire in the universe — materialistic objects, mental peace and spiritual growth.

Mahamrityunjaya jap is said to help one overcome the doubts related to death and gives the inner strength to accomplish all that we try in this life.

After his earlier Gham and Dheeray Dheeray, pop singer Rahim Shah has cut this soft romantic disc.

He sings of newly discovered love feelings here and the pain of a lost love there. Music has also been composed by Rahim Shah.