Vocal :
Sameer Binsi | Imam Majboor
Vocal backing: Mithulesh Cholakkal
Keyboard, Harmonium: Aslam
Tabala:Akbar Green
Percusions: Aziz Kalasree
Guitar: Suhail
Sounds: Shabeer
Original credits:
Lyrics: Fana Buland Shehri
Music and originally sung by:
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
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#urdu #sufi_song #sufism #sufiyanaantvtayanghariini #sufiyanapunjab
The sufi musical journey of Sameer Binsi and Imam majboor takes the course of seeking divine love, rooted in the profound legacy of mysticism and esotericism in music. Grounded in the local Sufi lyrics written by the masthans (darwishes) and Sufi poets of Malabar, Binsi brings into life the tunes and melodies from the rich repertoire of the Sufiana Kalaam - both north Indian qawwalis and the regional kalaams. Besides, they also experiment with the esoteric renderings from other perennial traditions from the region - including Sri Narayana Guru’s Athmopadesha Shathakam and Guru Nitya’s verses.
When it comes to classic Sufi lyrics in Arabic, they use the lines of stalwarts like Ibn Arabi, Hallaj and Rabia al Basariyya.In Persian, the renderings range from the greatest Rumi to Qawwali’s inventor Amir Khusruau, along with Hafiz and Jami. Classic Urdu lyrics of Khajah Mir Dard, Ghousi Shah, Muzaffar Warsi and Allama Iqbal inevitably form the chain of songs. In Malayalam, the esoteric lyrical tradition is not much explored and known in the popular culture. Binsi and his co-singer Majboor takes pain to unearth deeply
esoteric lyrics of Icha Masthan, Abdul Razaq Masthan, Masthan KV Aboobakar master et al.
These young singers have been singing in umpteen venues in Kerala and beyond for more than a decade now. Their shows and mehfils have hugely helped in taking qawwali and sufiana music to the hearts of masses in this part of the world. Their unique style and rendering make it accessible to the public and elevates music into its much talked about Sufi experience of a spiritual journey.
Binsi brings diverse range of lyrics from their enviable collection. Ranging from popular classical qawwalis of the north Indian Chishtiyya order to the unique compositions of local Sufis, he sings about the pangs of ishq, the depths of spiritual seeking and the philosophical complexities of life. As the strict classical qawwali traditions go, their renderings also offer the songs praising the masters, eulogising the silsila (spiritual lineage), knocking at the doors of the Prophet, supplications to Almighty et al. All recurring themes of Sufism, through its enchanting stories ranging from Laila Majnun and Al Hallaj to Malabar’s own Icha Mastan are eloquent in the mehfils of Binsi
A trained Hindustani vocalist, Sameer Binsi started reciting the hagiographical baiths and 'maalas' of Arabic-Malayalam from his own grandmother Kunhipatthumma. Later, Binsi received formal training in classical Hindustani music from Ustad Shaikh Parvez in Aligarh. Binsi has invested considerable amount of time to learn and unearth the tradition of esoteric music and literature in the Sufi traditions of Malabar. Lately, he is collaborating with Baul singer Shanthi to bring out a Malayalam- Persian Album; 'Rumi and Shams - Bridging the soul'
Another work of the ensemble to be published is a multi-lingual album called 'Alif the Infinite'.
Sameer Binsi's soulful voice and esoteric lyrics have been used in the Malayalam film Malik. For the film 'Malik', he has written some verses in Arabic for the back ground music of the film and it was listened widely and viraly.
Imam Majboor comes from a respected family of musicians and singers in Malappuram. His family has played a pivotal role in popularising Hindustani music in Malappuram area, and was blessed to have renowned musician Vincent master as their family guru. Although the youngest of his siblings, Majboor stands tall among them with his haunting voice and versatility. He has also sang tracks for Malayalam films like Sudani From Nigeria and Valiya Perunnal.
The music ensemble have performed in a number of places: from traditional khangahs across Kerala to the crowds of the GCC cities including Doha, Dubai, Sharjah and Kuwait. Besides, they have performed at Kerala Sahitya Academy, Café Papaya, Kochi Pagan Festival, Kerala Kala Mandalam and the state sponsored tourism festivals, among several other venues.
The ensemble also boasts of highly talented and well-experienced musicians, including Mithulesh, a hindustani vocalist, tabla player Muhammed Akbar, trained from Ustad Vincent Master, and pianist/keyboard-Harmonium artist Aslam etc....