Music Performance: Sufism Through Textiles

Join us in the galleries for a unique program of Sufi music and poetry with maestro Dhruv Sangari.

The word “sufi” comes from the word for wool. In his poetry and music‚ Sangari explores the spiritual dimensions of traditional Sufi textiles‚ as based on Sufi treatises. He will discuss the significance of the carpet‚ the “chadour‚” the fez and the significance of weaving as a common metaphor in Sufi poetry. This unique program will be interlaced with musical performance and poetry recitation by Bulleh Shah and Amir Khusrow. After the performance‚ guests are invited to break first fast of Ramadan together with light refreshments.

There will be a second performance on Saturday‚ March 25‚ at 3 p.m.

This event is a partnership with the Reed Society for the Sacred Arts and will take place in the third-floor galleries‚ amid Anne Lindberg’s site-specific installation what color is divine light?

About the Installation

Contemporary artist Anne Lindberg’s immersive installation transforms light and thread into a site for contemplation and reflection on connections with ourselves‚ communities and individual conceptions of the divine. A series of programs within the gallery will bring community members together for shared experiences designed to foster understanding and transcendence. Learn more about the installation

About Dhruv Sangari

Dhruv Sangari‚ also known as Bilal Chishty Sangari‚ is a Sufi and classical Indian vocalist‚ composer‚ lyricist‚ savant and teacher. His musical journey began at the shrine of the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi‚ which led him to train under the Pakistani Qawwali maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He splits his time between Konya (Türkiye) and Delhi (India) and is head of the National Sufi Ensemble based in Washington D.C.

How to Participate

This program will take place in person at the museum. Registration is required‚ and space is limited. Fee: $10 members/$15 public. Free for GW students‚ staff and faculty with valid ID.

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