Book Launch Ceremony of Naghmāt-e-Samāʿ-e-Hindvi

Naghmāt-e-Samāʿ-e-Hindvi as a Continuation of the Subcontinent’s Sufi, Literary, and Cultural Tradition

Dr. Mehdi Kazmi

New York (Press Release):
A dignified book launch ceremony for Naghmāt-e-Samāʿ-e-Hindvi was held at the renowned academic and cultural center Danish-o-Ramish in Karachi, Pakistan. The book is a comprehensive and substantial collection comprising nearly two thousand selected poetic works in Urdu, Hindi, and Braj Bhasha, brought to light after a long and rigorous process of research and compilation.

The event commenced at approximately 7:30 p.m. and was attended by a large number of scholars, literary figures, Sufi practitioners, and social personalities from the city. In the opening remarks, Ihjaz Naqo, who has been closely associated with the book’s compilation and research, shed detailed light on the various stages involved in preparing Naghmāt-e-Samāʿ-e-Hindvi. He explained the challenges faced in collecting poetry from different historical periods, regions, and sources, and acknowledged the contributions of the scholars and connoisseurs who participated in this intellectual endeavor.

Subsequently, Dr. Mehdi Kazmi, President of the Auliya Council of North America, addressed the gathering and spoke about the background of the project. He noted that the initiative was conceived nearly seventeen years ago as an intellectual and cultural movement, which gradually evolved into a comprehensive research journey. Dr. Kazmi expressed his gratitude, in due order, to all individuals, institutions, and sources that supported this long journey, and commended the dedication and sincerity involved in bringing the book to completion.

Following this, Maulana Hasan Saeed Safavi, joining online from Delhi, spoke on the historical and intellectual significance of samāʿ within the Sufi tradition. He emphasized how such compilations play a vital role in preserving the shared cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

In the next segment of the program, a Mahfil-e-Samāʿ was organized, featuring Najmuddin Sahib and his associates. After sharing insights into the familial tradition of qawwali, the spiritual essence of samāʿ, and the importance of Naghmāt-e-Samāʿ-e-Hindvi, Najmuddin Sahib presented a selection of verses from the book, which were warmly appreciated by the audience.

The event concluded with the distribution of langar, bringing this purposeful and spiritually enriching gathering to an end. The ceremony formally concluded at around 11:30 p.m.

The book launch of Naghmāt-e-Samāʿ-e-Hindvi was not merely the unveiling of a publication; it also stood as a graceful symbol of the continuity of the Sufi, literary, and cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent.