Raghveer Singh Gill,
- Assistant Professor, Department of Performing Arts Guru Kashi university, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab, India
Abstract
Sufi 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 have 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. 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.
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
[This article belongs to OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal ]
Raghveer Singh Gill. Influence of Folk Music on Sufi Music. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2025; 15(03):10-14.
Raghveer Singh Gill. Influence of Folk Music on Sufi Music. OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2025; 15(03):10-14. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/osmj/article=2025/view=234346
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OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 03 |
| Received | 03/07/2025 |
| Accepted | 08/09/2025 |
| Published | 29/09/2025 |
| Publication Time | 88 Days |
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