Srinagar, October 19 (Vijay Kumar) –, Dr. Karan Singh President ICCR on Monday said that Kashmir have remained a centre of Sufiism and the tradition is still alive here.
He was speaking on the occasion of Programme Jahan-e-Khusru -the realm of the heart, organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in coloration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of Indi. The programme was conceived, designed and directed by famous film maker Muzaffar Ali director of more than 20 Bolly wood films including OMRAO JAN (1981).
Dr Karan Singh said the Programme Jahan-e-Khusru was designed to co-relate the Sofi trdation of Kashmir-Iran and Awadh. He said that Amir Khusru is our common heritage . His poetry is popular in Iran too. He also appreciated the state Academy for cooperation.
Music Maestros of India and Iran today presented unique confluence of musical traditions of two ancient Civilizations of globe ,and enthralls the audience with their soul hearting performance held here at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre on the banks of world famous Dal Lake, this evening.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah , Union Minister for New and Renewable energy, Dr. Karan Singh President ICCR, Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzan Jora, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Ghani Malik, Usha Vohra the first lady, Rayaz Punjabi Vice Chancellor were among the dignitaries.
A galaxy of dignitaries, artists , music lover besides tourists including foreigners witnessed this grand cultural extravaganza.
Zaffar Iqbal Manhas Secretary Academy , in his welcome address stated that as a part of Cultural conversation between India and Iran the two ancient cultural identities in the world, sharing a chronological association, this ground-path-breaking cross-cultural and cross-civilizationals event is being initiated with the purpose to promote ,highlight and understand the Cultural ethos and philosophy of both the nations.
Zaffar further added that the International and the Inter State Cultural exchanges will strengthening the ties between State of Jammu and other Cultural identities and in this connection the Indian Council for Cultural Relations New Delhi and State Art, Culture and Languages Academy have devised many such events in near future . The main objective of these programmes would be to bring together the Artists, Writers, Musicians, Theatre Activists from India and other countries of the world.
He said this joint Musical event will create a bridge of friendship and brotherhood between civilizations and the Academy has endeavor to organised such Historical extravaganza.
The Sufi festival Featured the mind bellowing performances of the Baran Music Ensemble, Iran, Malini Awasthi and Group from Awadh and Ghulam Nabi Namtahali and group, Kashmir.