Khalil Sheikh’s influence has extended beyond Iran’s borders. Khalil Sheikh’s work stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to preserving the heritage of Khorasan’s folk music

Ana S. Gad

Khalil Sheikh, born in the culturally rich city of Khaf in the Khorasan region of Iran, was destined to immerse himself in the world of music from an early age. Coming from a family deeply rooted in the traditions of music, Khalil inherited not only a passion for the art but also the skill of playing the dotar, a two-stringed instrument deeply tied to Khorasan’s folk music. His musical journey was shaped by the environment in which he grew up – an atmosphere of artistic expression, filled with melodies and voices passed down through generations.

A Legacy of Music in the Family

Music ran in Khalil Sheikh’s veins. His grandfather, a gentle singer who followed the traditional music of Iran, instilled in Khalil an early appreciation for the rich sounds of Khorasan. His mother also had a natural talent for singing, and these influences helped Khalil develop a deep emotional connection to music. His father’s home became a gathering place for renowned musicians, and this environment proved to be fertile ground for his growth. Legendary artists like the late Master Gholamhossein Arfa recorded their works in the family home, further igniting Khalil’s passion.

Guided by Masters of Khorasan Folk Music

Determined to deepen his understanding, Khalil Sheikh sought out the guidance of revered Khorasan folk music masters, such as the late Master Osman Mohammadparst and Master Zulfiqar Asgarian. These mentors played a significant role in shaping his musical identity, teaching him the delicate balance between preserving the traditional music of Khorasan and interpreting it in his unique style. Khalil became a bridge between the old and new, constantly learning, performing, and sharing the rich cultural heritage of his region.

Passing on the Tradition: Teacher and Preserver

With his deep knowledge and love for Maqami music, Khalil Sheikh took on the role of teacher. His mission was not only to perform but also to ensure that the ancient music of Khorasan would not fade into obscurity. He trained many students across Iran, encouraging them to embrace the dotar and the centuries-old musical traditions of the region. His dedication to teaching is matched by his passion for craftsmanship – he creates dotar instruments that stay true to the original design, preserving the authenticity of the sound.

A Cultural Ambassador for Khorasan

Khalil Sheikh’s influence has extended beyond Iran’s borders. In the winter of 2018, he was invited by the Austrian University of Music and Art to perform at the Vienna Museum of Art and the University of Music in Graz. These performances introduced the soulful music of Khorasan to international audiences, who were captivated by the unique melodies and cultural depth. His performance inspired Austrian officials to travel to Khaf to experience Khorasan’s music firsthand, further cementing his role as a cultural ambassador.

A Visionary and Preserver of Heritage

Khalil Sheikh’s contributions go beyond music. He has also played a crucial role in promoting tourism in Khorasan, attracting visitors to experience the region’s rich culture. By showcasing the beauty of Khorasan’s music and traditions, he has helped foster a greater appreciation for the cultural treasures of his homeland.

Khalil Sheikh’s work stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to preserving the heritage of Khorasan’s folk music. Whether through teaching, performing, or crafting instruments, he has committed his life to ensuring that the soul of Khorasan continues to resonate with future generations. His journey reflects a deep respect for tradition while also embracing the possibilities of cultural exchange, making him a true guardian of Khorasan’s musical legacy.

RUMInation, founded on October 1, 2021, by Khalil Sheikh and Samaneh Mojaveri, is a project deeply rooted in their shared passion for Eastern culture and art. Inspired by a desire to connect with and share the rich heritage of Persian culture, RUMInation stages folk events focused on Nomadic Untold Stories, offering a unique platform to showcase Persian traditions while weaving them into the fabric of other cultures. The project aims to highlight the beauty and depth of these untold stories, fostering cultural exchange and a deeper understanding of Persian art and nomadic life.

Every year, on the occasion of Rumi’s birthday, Khalil Sheikh performs as a central part of the RUMInation project, bringing Persian folk music to life and fostering cultural exchange.

The project highlights the beauty and depth of untold stories, offering audiences a deeper understanding of Persian art and nomadic life.

Read: Whisper of the Universe

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Ana S. Gad is a pen name of the Dubai-based, internationally acclaimed writer, scholar, journalist, editor and digital artist Dr. Ana Stjelja. In 2005 she graduated from the Faculty of Philology from the Turkish Language and Literature Department. In 2009 she earned a Master’s degree in Sufism. In 2012 she obtained her PhD in Serbian Literature (with the thesis on the life and work of one of the first Serbian women writers and world travelers Jelena J. Dimitrijevic). She is an award-winning poet, writer, translator, journalist, independent scientific researcher and editor. She published more than 30 books of different literary genres, and is the author of numerous research papers and essays on literature, feminism and diverse cultures (cultural heritage). She is also a digital artist (with special focus on the graphic design, digital collage art). She is the Editor-in-Chief of various online magazines: the Alia Mundi Magazine for Cultural Diversity, the Enheduana Online Literary Magazine, the Poetryzine, an online magazine for Poets and Poetry in English. She is also the founder and the editor of the Web Portal Eastern Pearl dedicated to the Eastern cultures, Sands and City Magazine, a Dubai-based online magazine on culture of the UAE and Gulf and Art&Act Magazine on art. In 2018 she founded Association Alia Mundi for Promoting Cultural Diversity. In July 2022, she successfully completed the Introduction to Psychology course at the American Yale University, where her lecturer was the university professor and world-famous (Canadian-American) psychologist Paul Bloom. Right now, she is a mentee of the Creative Spotlight Program supported by the British Council and the Thomson Foundation. She is a member of the Association of Writers of Serbia, the Association of Journalists of Serbia, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Europeana Pro.

Courtesy: Sands and City (Online Magazine – Dubai)

The post Khalil Sheikh: A Guardian of Khorasan’s Musical Heritage first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Sindh is a land of saints, fakirs, and dervishes. Its songs and music come from its divine Sufi soul, haunting and melodious. Using simple instruments like borrindo, yaktaaro, naar, naghara, kartaal, manjira, tamburo and duhil, Sindhis sing Sufi kalaams (verses) and kafis (a poetic rendition of the dialogue between the Soul and the Creator) at dargahs. Sufi poets such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast and Sami have left behind a rich compilation of poetry to be sung as songs.

Yaktaaro – one-stringed instrument, is used by the fakirs and musicians alike at dargahs and weddings. Made of dried pumpkin, its pitch can be changed by loosening or tightening the string.

Dando, jhanjree and khartaloon are the accompanying jingling instruments used with yaktaaro.

Naar is a flute made of reed.

Borrindo is an ancient instrument made of a clay ball with four holes, though now a slightly more sophisticated version with baked clay is used.

A pair of nagaras are percussion drums played with sticks.

Duhil is a Sindhi drum with two sides.

Surando is a wooden Sindhi instrument with a number of strings that may range from five in simpler versions to thirteen in sophisticated versions.

Chaang is a simple instrument made from iron which is held in the mouth and played with one finger.

Ladaas are Sindhi marriage songs sung to the beat of the duhil. Women dance at the joyous and sometimes ribald songs causing much merriment in the house of celebration.

Sindhi music includes bhajans, folk songs, and ghazals too.

Songs like ‘Dama Dum Mast Qalander’ and ‘Ho Jamalo’ when sung always bring the audience to their feet dancing and singing.

Singers and musicians such as Prof Ram Panjwani, Master Chander, Bhagwati Navani, Kala Hazari, and Kamla Keswani have left their mark on Sindhi music. Abida Parveen is renowned for her rendition of Sufi songs and music.

Sindhi dance celebrates the day-to-day life of people. Most dances are of the folk variety which everyone can participate in.

The oldest and the most original form of Sindhi dance, song, music, and drama is Bhagat. A very popular form of entertainment, a Bhagat performance would find people travelling long distances to attend it. Folk songs depicting traditional or religious stories and devotional songs in the praise of God were the themes on which the Bhagat was performed. The performance had upto six to eleven singers and musicians. The lead performer, called Bhagat, wore a chher (anklets), jamo (a long top), pagdi (turban), kundal (earrings), and a bright tilak on the forehead. He sang in a melodious voice loud enough to be heard a kilometer away and danced on the central aisle with the audience watching from both sides. He kept his audience mesmerized for hours with his storytelling, dramatizing every emotion of the narrative, moving the people either to laughter or tears. He would be joined by the back-up singers who supported his lead line with a simile or the other half of the couplet. It was a performance that started at night and continued till dawn. The musical instruments used were sarangi (a stringed instrument), tablas, and dholaks (both percussion instruments).

The most famous Bhagat of all times was Sant Kanwaram, revered by both Hindus and Muslims alike for his divine rendition of kalams and the sur prabhati (sung early morning). Today, Sindhi Bhagats are considered the promoters and preservers of the rich Sindhi culture and heritage.

Chhej is a vigorous complex dance performed by men during festivals and religious processions. Each man wielded two small sticks and swirled while striking the sticks in rhythm. The musical instruments used are sharnai and duhil.

Dhamaal is a meditative spiritual dance originally performed by Lal Shah Baaz Qalandar. Today it is performed by his devotees, malaangs, and qalandars, on the fast beat of the nagara.

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Courtesy: Sindhi Khazana

The post An Introduction to Sindhi Dance and Music first appeared on Sindh Courier.