SUFI MUSIC IS EXCEPTIONAL IN PROMOTING SOCIABILITY: A STUDY OF “SHAH-Jo-RAAG”

Abstract

Sufi music is universally accepted for creating self-awareness, reducing
stress, and offering mental well-being. It is a simple tool for healing, and
connecting with others beyond religious and national differences. “Shah-Jo-
Raag” is uniquely composed Sufi music that is the true voice of people beyond
the boundaries to promote tolerance and human co-existence. It is played over
an Indigenous musical instrument called “Danbooro”. It was invented by a poet
and Sufi Saint of all times, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, with five strings and
a heart-shaped base. The Shah’s poetry that is sung through Shah-Jo-Raag was
composed in the native Language of common folk. The compilation of his poetry
is called “Shah-Jo-Risalo”. There are different Sufi themes in poetry and Sufi
music “Shah-Jo-Raag” is a recitation of poetry. Thirty chapters are sung by a
group of singers. A large number of people listen to the music, and they enjoy
the chanting voice of melodies. In the present research paper, the content
analysis research method was used. 30 Chapters of “Surs” were studied, and 04
published versions of “Shah-Jo-Rsialo” were used for the secondary data.
Initially, 30 themes were drawn. These themes were reduced to 07, which were
associated with seven women whose cultural stories were largely circulated
among people in Sindh and across the world. Out of these, 06 themes were
drawn concerning poetic verses for final interpretation. The poetic words were
well-articulated in a thematic arrangement for the readers to study the mystic
concepts of Sufi music.