For those who were charmed by the magical setting and music of "Kun Faya Kun" from the movie Rockstarr, would find an evening at 'Hazrat Nizamuddin' quite spell binding.
While India prides itself of the rich heritage and culture, Delhi, the capital city, alone can take you on an odyssey within the bounds of Islamic architecture. Hazrat has been a pilgrim to the Muslims and a home to many a "Qawaali" connoisseurs from Hinduism and Christianity alike.
My short trip to the Hazrat Nizzamuddin dargah this Thrusday left me thinking and yearning for more. The Nizami brothers, traditional qawaals of the dargah have dedicated many a decades to this music form. Interestingly, the Dargah has had a sweet relationship with Bollywood having featured in Delhi 6, Rockstarr and many.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah is the mausoleum of one of the world's most renowned Sufi saints of his time, Nizamuddin Auliya. Situated in the heart of West Delhi, the dargah is flocked by hundreds of Muslims every day, and a fair bit of people from the different religions of India. The tombs of Sufi poet Amir Khusro and Mughal princess Jehan Ara Begum are also located within the Nizamuddin Dargah walls. The tomb of Inayat Khan sits just around the corner.
Touched by the Islamic grace of praying an offering, just as I step out of the tomb, I am caught by the aroma of biryani and shorba. A foodie would not fail to notice the cuisine that spells nothing less than "lajawab". With the camera as my pal, I am caught between multiple frames of sight, smell and emotions.
Just as the moonlight takes over the might tomb of Nizam, with a mouthful of biryani and distant qawaalis in my ear, I dwell over the sanctity of the religion and uniqueness of my experience.
