Voice of Inayat Khan by Tom Alter Narrated by Rekha Bhimani Commentary by Omid Safi, Ph.D Director of the Islamic Study Center, Duke University. Written and Directed by Amin Dawdy Co-Directed and Edited by Julie R Rackow.Produced by Sophia Unity Foundation and Moonlight Pictures
What people are saying about the music drenched Audiobook about Inayat Khan's early life.
“Inayat's Song… has been polished to a gem-like perfection with performances of beautiful narration, informed Sufi commentary and many Sufi and Indian musical embellishments that accent his legend with grace and might reach deeply into one's soul…the life and spiritual journey of Inayat Khan was not as edited or harmonious as the telling, but this beautifully burnished audio production reflects his remarkable spiritual ability, developed from his deep Sufi lineage, to extract the perfect nectar from life's turbulent mysteries and offer it to thirsty pilgrims to drink…it was very moving—Nan Hill
“Lovely” —Shabda Khan
. “I was so deeply touched, listening to this… I wept in places and felt my iman (faith) being strengthened at others. Many blessings to you for bringing this project to fruition. — Janet Berkata
Wow! Just finished listening. Great ending song*. . .. very entrancing. It was calm and paced in a way to allow contemplation as well as learning… For me, it was a bit of a journey within a journey as I know little of Inayat Khan. Now I not only know a bit more about the Sufi spirituality but also about this influential man. I understand more now why he has been such an inspiration for you and others. It's a powerful story - one I look forward to listening to again. For me, it was an antidote to the news stories of our present day as well. The music is delicious and used artfully to weave together the segments of the story. Keep me posted — Betsy Langston
It is simply stunningly woven, expressed and transmitted… a gift of pure LOVE and a transmission of our Murshid. Oh, my heart. More Later and love, NOW — Widad.
HuDost have crafted over the years a remarkable and inspiring canon of heart & soul expressive music and song. For INAYAT'S SONG, Moksha and Jemal have outdone themselves.
About The Soundtrack
Disc One: HuDost
Disc Two: Contributing Musicians and Field Recordings
Track 1 BISAN TORON - Unexpected Visitor
Anyone familiar with Ms. Toron’s work will recognize the haunting vocal intentions that evoke the Unexpected Visitor. If not, then the listener is in for an almost otherworldly auditory experience. The Prophet as Beauty, Ya Wadud, is the refrain in this work of art that evokes the remembrance of the One who calls to us from our own hearts.
Track 2 ATTAR LORETO MESSINA - The Melody Inayat Khan sang before his Public Talks in Germany.
The Clarinet of Attar Loreto Messina, recorded in the Meditation Hall at the Abode of the Message in New Lebanon, NY, evokes a calmness that allowed the audience to receive more of the Murshid’s teachings. The melody is a beautiful precursor to sitting in your own stillness.
Track 3 VIRAJ SHRINIVAS JOSHI - Yaman (Bhajan Medley)
I recorded Viraj’s delightful voice February 23, 2014 at the Annual Classical Music Concert at Sayaji Rao University commemorating the Founding of the Gayanshal Children’s Music School by Maulabakhsh Shole Khan. The 9 year old Inayat who sang a hymn to Ganesha before Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III at the Laxmi Palace in 1891. He was awarded a string of pearls and a scholarship to his grandfather’s music school. Good wishes for the continued success of Viraj.
He is accompanied by his uncle and his father.
Track 4 INAYAT KHAN - Qasida-I-Inayat
Hazrat Inayat Khan’s voice, remastered from the 1909 recording for the precursor to BMI in Kolkata. The vocal control is that of a master. The Song is a praise of the Beauty of Mohammed, Peace Be Upon Him. Mastered by Dale Becker for Bernie Becker Mastering Labs, Pasadena, California. Their work made all the difference in bringing Murshid’s voice to life.
Track 5 AYEDA HUSAIN with HAIDER HASHIMI - Ajab Shaan Hai
Upon hearing the sound of the Universe at feet of a silent sage in the forests of Nepal, Inayat penned this poem that has been put to music by Ayeda Husain.
Ajab shaan hai, mast e saut e azl kee
Na parwah rahay, oos ko thal kee na jal kee
What a unique glory has the one who is attuned to the sound of Eternity,
He is not concerned about the (happenings of the) land or the lake (the earth or water).
Oosi sur kay, dhiyaani hain roz e azl say
Kay maaray hooay, hain pia kay charan kay
It is the same sound that we have all been intoxicated by since the beginning of time,
It is the same sound that brings us to the feet of the Beloved.
Khudaee karain kar kay dikhlaayain dum main
Agar dair main hon kay hon ya haram main
Let us reflect Him through our breath and our actions,
Whether we are in the temple or in the mosque.
Inayat sada kay fidayee hain saaray
Parhain hain azl say pia kay duwaaray
Oh Inayat, we are all intoxicated by that which is Eternal,
And since the beginning of time we have been lying at the doorstep of the Beloved.
Jo oos ka hai waisa hee hona hai laazim
Mijaz aur haqeeqat hain baahim mulaazim!
If you come from Him, you are bound to be like Him,
The inner and the outer world are, after all, one!
Ajab shaan hai, mast e saut e azl kee
Inayat karo bus bhee tum aur yeh baat
Oh what a unique glory has the one who is attuned to the sound of Eternity,
Oh Inayat, stop talking about such lofty ideals!
Haqeeqat kay charchay, tumhaaree yeh awqaat
Illahi karam ho, kay zara ho khursheed
Look at reality and look at your own lowly nature,
Still, if He wishes, He can turn a speck of dust into sunlight!
Karam ho to ho jayay, sar sabz umeed
Ajab shaan hai, mast e saut e azl kee!
And with His blessings, hope becomes evergreen,
Oh what a unique glory has the one who is intoxicated by the sound of eternity!
~ Poetry of Sufi Master, Hazrat Inayat Khan ~
Translation credit via Wistenbound
Track 6 Jaltarang Field Recording - Bhairav Raga
Though we have no recording of Inayat khan playing the Jaltarang, or bowls, he did so throughout Southern India in 1908. The Audiences were enchanted. I hope you will be too.
g Patdeep
Tracks 6, 7 and 8 Ustad Bahauddin Dagar Sahab -
Akir Bharav (Mourning of Maulabakhsh over the loss of his daughters.) Raag Patdeep) a late evening raag, and Raag Chandralauns were all recorded at Pune University on request so that those not familiar with the Vina, the instrument played by Inayat Khan, might hear it. Each melody is used to evoke an appropriate emotion as the story of Inayat Khan is told.
—-Notes by Amin David Dawdy
Inayat's Song - Download
The Story of Inayat Khan narrated by Rekha Bhimani, Voice of Inayat Khan by Tom Alter, Commentary by Omid Safi, Director Islamic Center, Duke University.
Music by HuDost, Ghulam Farid Nizami, Bahauddin Dagar, Fhruddin Dagar, Farid Ayaz and ABu Muhammed, Loreto Messina, Bisan Toron, Ayeda Hussein, and the voice and poetry of Inayat Khan. A Six Episode Enhanced Audiobook Co-produced by Sophia Unity Foundation, New Mexico and Moonlight Pictures, Varanasi, India.
You can support the ongoing seed-sowing work of Sophia Unity Foundation with your ongoing contribution. By sharing this site with your friends to help publicize our efforts. Review it on facebook, twitter, and over lunch with your friends. In gratitude to you all from Julie, the Crew at Moonlight Pictures, and the Spirit of Oneness.