Influence of Folk Music on Sufi Music

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Open Access

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Notice

nThis is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.n

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Year : 2025 [if 2224 equals=””]27/09/2025 at 11:18 AM[/if 2224] | [if 1553 equals=””] Volume : 15 [else] Volume : [/if 1553] | [if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”]Issue : [/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”]Special Issue[/if 424] [if 424 equals=”Conference”][/if 424] 03 | Page :

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    By

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    Mr. Raghveer Singh Gill,

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  1. Assistant Professor, Guru Kashi university, Talwandi Sabo., Punjab, India

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Abstract

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nSufi music, with its deep spiritual resonance and emphasis on divine love, has been profoundly shaped by various folk music traditions across different regions. This abstract explores the multifaceted influence of folk music on Sufi musical forms, highlighting how indigenous melodies, rhythms, and instrumentation have enriched and diversified its expressive palette. Folk music’s inherent simplicity, directness, and often communal nature provided a fertile ground for Sufi mystics to convey complex spiritual concepts in an accessible manner.

From the qawwalis of South Asia, which draw heavily on local melodic structures and poetic forms, to the ritualistic music of North African Sufi orders incorporating Berber and Arab folk elements, the interplay is evident. The use of specific scales (ragas in India, maqams in the Middle East) prevalent in folk music has been adopted and adapted within Sufi repertoires, lending distinct regional flavors. Furthermore, traditional folk instruments like the Tabla, Daff, Sitar, and various flutes have been seamlessly integrated, contributing unique timbres and rhythmic patterns. Folk storytelling traditions and narrative structures have also informed the lyrical content and performance styles, allowing Sufi messages to resonate more deeply with local audiences.[1] This symbiotic relationship not only facilitated the spread of Sufi philosophy but also ensured its enduring relevance and adaptability across diverse cultural landscapes. The ongoing dialogue between folk and Sufi music underscores the organic and evolving nature of both traditions.nn

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Keywords: Sufi Music, Folk Music, Punjab, Qawwali, Kafi, Sama, Sufi Poetry, Folk Instruments ,Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, Jugani, Dholak, Tambi, Chimta, Vernacular Language, Mysticism, Spiritual, Divine Love Fusion paper.

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How to cite this article:
nMr. Raghveer Singh Gill. [if 2584 equals=”][226 wpautop=0 striphtml=1][else]Influence of Folk Music on Sufi Music[/if 2584]. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 27/09/2025; 15(03):-.

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How to cite this URL:
nMr. Raghveer Singh Gill. [if 2584 equals=”][226 striphtml=1][else]Influence of Folk Music on Sufi Music[/if 2584]. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 27/09/2025; 15(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/osmj/article=27/09/2025/view=0

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Volume 15
[if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”]Issue[/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”]Special Issue[/if 424] [if 424 equals=”Conference”][/if 424] 03
Received 03/07/2025
Accepted 08/09/2025
Published 27/09/2025
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Publication Time 86 Days

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