Chandigarh, October 22
The divine discipline of Sufism has guided many a creative mind towards purposeful directions. Among the most brilliant of these minds is that of film-maker Muzaffar Ali, who continues to serve this musical genre in his own humble way.
Having kept the Sufi fascination close to his heart for years, Muzaffar Ali is now preparing to offer it to the world in the shape of “Rumi”, the global feature film which he is making on the life and poetry of the 13th century mystical poet Jalaluddin Rumi, the largest read poet in the USA. Arriving in the city today along with Abida Parveen, the internationally acclaimed Sufi singer from Pakistan, who forms an inseparable part of the project, Muzaffar Ali referred to “Rumi” as a divine indulgence.
The first feature film to be ever made on the divine escapades of this Sufi poet, “Rumi” boasts of a highly intellectual content, evolved by American writer Kabir Helminsky, who is the only American conferred with the title of Sheikh. It will have Hollywood legend Al Pacino and David D’ Louis in the lead roles. Working together, Muzaffar Ali, Helmisky and Abida Parveen have laced the script with Sufi verses, linked the screenplay with Rumi’s poetry and prepared a melodious set of spiritual nuggets.
For Abida and Muzaffar Ali, who are part of this film to be shot at global locations, including Turkey, the film is a tribute to the repertory of Rumi whose verses have global relevance. Describing his addiction for Rumi, Muzaffar Ali said, “If you touch his poetry, it ensures that you remain possessed forever. The film has taken five years and is being made in English. It will be dubbed in Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Urdu.”
A die-hard Sufi himself, Muzaffar Ali has ensured the richest music for his film by engaging Abida Parveen, who will sing for the Sufi Foundation of India at Leisure Valley tomorrow. He said, “I have introduced many singers like Suresh Wadkar in my film Gaman, Talat Aziz in Umrao Jaan, but Abida’s mysticism is ummatchable. She is a pure soul. I have never initiated any sufi project without her.”
Explaining her Sufi connection, Abida said, “Sufism inspires you to reject happiness and embrace sorrows. I am a Sufi and I have come all the way from Pakistan with the message of brotherhood. God made men, inspiring them to love him back so that he could remember them always. Music is my religion and I practise it to spread the messages of Sufi saints whose verses were never as relevant as they are today.”
An ardent Abida admirer, Muzaffar does not plan to repeat Umrao Jaan or Gaman. He just wants to complete Zooni with Dimple Kapadia. If he makes a film again, it will feature Shovana, the South Indian actress, whose intensity impresses him tremendously. He says, “Bollywood and myself don’t get along well. I allow my son Shaad Ali to handle that part. After ‘Saathiya’, he has become indispensable for people who used to avoid me religiously. “
In the future Jahan-e-Khusrau festivals will keep rolling, as Muzaffar Ali explains, “I live in the stirring joy of the poetry of Khusrau and people like Khusrau, the mystic poets of the world.
I select their verse, discover its inherent spiritual melody and rhythmic structure, select and blend voices and create music with artistes who sing, play and dance with their heart.”
