New Delhi, March 29
Sufi music aficionados couldn’t agree more with Ila Arun when she compared the two-day Jahan-e-Khusrau International Festival to a pilgrimage.

The singer not just enthralled the audience with her rendition of the Sufiana Kalam, but was also seen soaking in the voices of other performers. The two-day event, which came to a close here yesterday, saw audiences swaying to the strains of the Sufiana.

And with the celebrated Abida Parveen taking centre stage, it was unadulterated bliss. The weekend had Delhiites mesmerised and unlike other occasions, when the audience tends not too behave too well, this one was an exception. An orderly audience keen not to miss the extravaganza was only too willing to comply.

To add to the charm of the Sufi Kalam was the aesthetically done up venue. Shimmering lights in colourful hues, floating candles, flowers, it was an effort well made at the Humayun’s Tomb.

While Abida Parveen was the undisputed favourite, performances by Astad Deboo, Shubha Mudgal, Ila Arun and Zila Khan were appreciated no less. Zila’s powerful voice reverberated, as did Arun’s soulful crooning.

Ila Arun chose to dedicate a number to the girl child, whose cause she informed was taken up by Khusro himself almost 600 years ago. She depicted the dilemma of a young girl torn between her wifely duties and her desire to continue playing with her friends.