Hyderabad’s Cultural Soul Awakens
Hyderabad pulsed with devotion Sunday as IBTIDA’s Night Mehfil returned for its second edition, transforming the city into a living dargah. Curators Tanvi Singh Bhatia and Anubhav Jain revived old-world traditions, drawing crowds into an immersive qawwali experience led by the legendary Nizami Bandhu from Nizami Dargah. Far from a mere performance, it was a soulful homecoming celebrating Hyderabad’s syncretic heritage.
Nizami Bandhu’s Timeless Devotion
The Nizami Bandhu, carrying centuries of lineage, delivered traditional qawwali that felt like a sacred offering. Their voices wove devotion and timelessness, resonating deeply in a city rich with Nizam-era echoes. Inspired by dargah rituals, organizers incorporated phoolon ki chaadar, a floral canopy blending flowers, fragrance, and music for profound warmth.
Curators’ Vision of Immersive Revival
“We chose qawwali because it feels like home,” said Bhatia and Jain. As part of IBTIDA’s fourth Archival series, the evening stripped culture to its purest form, simple, unadulterated, participatory. “Qawwali isn’t a performance; it pulls you in. No distance, just shared feeling,” they explained, making attendees not spectators but participants.
A Reminder of Cultural Roots
For Hyderabadis, this wasn’t just an event, it was a poignant reminder of origins amid modernity. IBTIDA’s mehfil bridged past and present, urging a return to soulful traditions through music, memory, and community.
