Global Sufi music fest in capital

New Delhi -  Sufi musicians from five countries will be in the capital Feb 6-8 for an International Sufi Festival to promote greater cultural contacts and soft diplomacy.

The participating countries are Denamrk, Hungary, Egypt, Morocco and India. The festival is being organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Sondorgo of Hungary, one of the Europe's most versatile bands, will present their new album “Tamburising - Lost Music of the Balkans” with singer and actress Katya Tompos Feb 6. Their aim is to foster and preserve Southern Slavic traditions of the Serbs and Croats as found in various settlements in Hungary.

The Orient West Choir from Denmark is a contemporary interpretation of the musical connections between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The troupe that will perform Feb 7 combines Gregorain chants with middle eastern music. The band features music from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Palestine and Israel.

Marouane Hajji, a Sufi musician from the Moroccan spiritual capital at Fes, will present refined music of the Tijani and Skali - one of the higher forms of Moroccan Sufi music.

Five troupes will represent the Indian Sufi music traditions. They are the Kashmir Music Society Group, Baul Fakiri Qawaali Music Group from West Bengal, and Delhi's Nizami Khusro Bandhu, Dhruv Sangari & Group and the Yusouf Khan Nizami Qawaali Group.