Karan Puri 2 Mar, 2025
Conceptualised and curated by renowned filmmaker, painter, and cultural visionary Muzaffar Ali.
The World Sufi Music Festival Returns for Its Silver Jubilee at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi | February 28 – March 2, 2025
Jahan-e-Khusrau, the iconic World Sufi Music Festival had the gracious presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, at the inaugural day of Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025, which also marks the 25th anniversary of this iconic festival.at the historic Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.
This milestone edition had a spectacular celebration of Sufi music, poetry, and spiritual transcendence, bringing together luminaries from across the globe to honour the timeless wisdom of mystical traditions.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has extended his warm greetings to the organisers of Jahan-e-Khusrau, commending Muzaffar Ali for his unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting India’s syncretic cultural and spiritual heritage. In his message, PM Modi remarked, “India is a land blessed with spirituality, art, and culture. For centuries, music has been an intrinsic part of the socio-cultural fabric of our day-to-day life. Deeply associated with spirituality and culture, it can elevate the mind and act as a rejuvenating and healing force.”
“The participation of global artists, musicians, and dancers at the festival strongly resonates with the inclusive and all-encompassing worldview of our nation. May the melodious strains of soulful music build bridges of peace, harmony, and friendship between people, societies, and nations,” the Prime Minister remarked and shared his support for the celebration of 25 years of Jahan-e-Khusrau with, "May the silver jubilee edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau create abiding memories and be a huge success."
A Cultural Movement Beyond Borders
Marking 30 editions worldwide in these past 25 years, Jahan-e-Khusrau has established itself as a cultural movement, transcending boundaries to revive and reimagine the mystic traditions of Rumi, Amir Khusrau, Baba Bulleh Shah, Lalleshwari, and other Sufi saints. The very first edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau in 2000 began with the blending of voices and instruments from Iran with the same from Kashmir and 25 years later, they continue the same tradition of merging places and people that are far apart but meet in music, poetry, and dance. This creates a world of oneness, a dimension where beautiful things emerge. Across the span of 25 years, Jahan-e-Khusrau discovered and supported various new talents in its journey. Manjari Chaturvedi mentions how the stage in Jahan-e-Khusrau became a space for experimentation and evolution for her work on Sufi Kathak. Singer Deveshi Sehgal went from being an audience member to performing on the Jahan-e-Khusrau stage. Singers Sonam Kalra, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan, Archana Shah, Murad Ali Khan on Sarangi, Fateh Ali on Sitar, and many other artists were allowed to perform in their formative years of work alongside senior artists like Shubha Mudgal, Abida Parveen, Gurdas Mann, Ila Arun, Malini Awasthi, Kailash Kher, Sukhwinder Singh, Shafqat Ali Khan, Shujaat Hussain, Daler Mehndi, Satinder Sartaaj, Javed Ali and the likes. Jahan-e-Khusrau is committed to creating art beyond borders, bringing many worlds together, and presenting talented artists on its stage. With its theme "Unity in Diversity", this year’s edition upholds the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – a world united through art, music, and spiritual heritage. A spiritual endeavor like this thrives on patronage by caring corporations and government . Whilst the support of Delhi Tourism has been perennial to this platform, Rumi Foundation is indebted to D. S Puri Group, Central Park and Incredible India for extending their support.
A Stellar Lineup of Artists & Experiences
The 2025 edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau will feature an awe-inspiring lineup of Sufi maestros from India and across the world. Audiences will be mesmerised by performances marked by the seamless confluence of senior artists with talented, new artists from across the country. Mooralala Marwada from Kutch will blend his voice with Sanjukta Sinha’s Kathak performance while the musical fusion between Rajasthan’s Jasu Khan Manganiyar with Kashmir’s Yawar Abdal will set the stage for an immersive spiritual journey. The evenings will also include Whirling Dervishes, Qawwali ensembles, and Krishna Bhakti renditions, creating a mesmerizing spiritual journey through music and dance. This is just a peek into the grand spirit of this festival.
Beyond Music: A Multi-Dimensional Experience
Expanding beyond music, Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025 will offer an array of cultural and artistic experiences. The TEH Bazaar (The Exploration of the Handmade) will present a curated selection of rare and highly-skilled crafts, including those recognized with Geographical Indication (GI) status. There will be intricate textiles, and decorative arts, alongside live demonstrations and interactive workshops with master artisans. Book launches, readings, and discussions with scholars and poets will delve into the rich intersections of thought, literature, and philosophy. The festival will also feature film shows and a pop-up museum. A specially curated Sufi-inspired menu will offer dishes that reflect the essence of shared legacies. Furthermore, cultural exhibits from different parts of our country will be on display for people to engage with the rich artistic and cultural diversity of our beloved land. The bazaar will be brimming with activities like poetry readings, whirling, book binding, calligraphy, and more. Inspired from the Chaar Bagh, the Teh Bazaar also houses a lounge created by Raseel Gujral Ansal. The Bazaar also invites its lovers of music to dine under the stars amidst the relics as House of Fio creates cuisine inspired by ancient India kitchens.
Muzaffar Ali: The Visionary Behind Jahan-e-Khusrau
Muzaffar Ali is a filmmaker, painter, and cultural curator known for his deep-rooted passion for Sufism and the arts is the driving force behind Jahan-e-Khusrau. Best known for his cinematic masterpiece Umrao Jaan (1981), Ali has dedicated his life to preserving and celebrating India’s syncretic cultural heritage. His work spans across film, fashion, painting, and music, all reflecting his deep engagement with mysticism and artistic expression. As the founder and curator of Jahan-e-Khusrau, he has created a global platform for Sufi music, bringing together diverse traditions and voices in an enduring celebration of love, unity, and spiritual transcendence.
Muzaffar Ali shares, "Jahan-e-Khusrau was born from the whispers of saints and the melodies of mystics. For 25 years, it has been a sanctuary where music, poetry, and devotion merge to remind us that love is the ultimate path to unity. This Silver Jubilee edition is an invitation—to rediscover the timeless wisdom of Sufi traditions and to celebrate the harmony that binds us all."
Meera Ali: A force to reckon with
Meera Ali, a distinguished architect, author, and cultural entrepreneur, plays a pivotal role in shaping Jahan-e-Khusrau’s artistic and cultural vision. She ensures the festival’s seamless fusion of art, music and cultural heritage. With a profound interest in heritage conservation and design, she is also the creative force behind House of Kotwara, a design house blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Through her work, she continues to champion India’s artistic legacy and its power to foster unity across communities. Passionate about literature and Sufi philosophy, Meera Ali reflects:
“In a world that often feels divided, Jahan-e-Khusrau stands as a luminous testament to the power of art in bringing people together. This year, we don’t just celebrate a festival—we celebrate a way of life, a movement that continues to inspire and heal through music, poetry, and collective experience.”
RUMI FOUNDATION
Jahan-e-Khusrau was established under the aegis of Rumi Foundation, a charitable society with the vision to create a world without boundaries through creative endeavours and cultural initiatives. From rural skill development, conserving intangible cultures, preserving monuments, availing of films, music and publications to initiating and participating in annual cultural festivals like Wajid Ali Shah Festival (Lucknow), Jahan-e-Khusrau (Delhi and worldwide) and Anjuman-e-Dil (Delhi), Rumi Foundation works creatively towards its objective of conserving cultures and creating an undivided world. This year, Rumi Foundation celebrates 25 years of Jahan-e-Khusrau, with the help of its supporters - Central Park, Delhi Tourism, DS Puri Foundation, Superior Group, ONGC, IOC, Celibi and many others who believed in them and put their faith in the initiative.
Join the Celebration
As Jahan-e-Khusrau 2025 marks its 25th anniversary, it extends an invitation to all—music lovers, spiritual seekers, and cultural enthusiasts—to immerse themselves in this unparalleled experience of mysticism, harmony, and artistic brilliance.
Jahan-e-Khusrau: Celebrating 25 Years of Love, Unity, and Spiritual Awakening.
