A. R. Rahman: The Universal Melody of Sufism at Ajmer Sharif
The setting was as profound as the conversation itself: the sacred grounds of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the tomb of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Here, A. R. Rahman, the maestro whose music has long been a powerful symbol of India’s syncretic spirit, sat down with journalist Shekhar Gupta for an episode of Walk The Talk. The interview offered a rare glimpse into the composer’s spiritual core, revealing how the philosophy of Sufism informs his life, his identity, and his world-renowned music.
The Path to Divine Love
For Rahman, the Dargah is more than a place of worship; it is a living symbol of “syncretic India,” a space where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians gather for a spiritual experience. This universal acceptance is the essence of Sufism, a path the composer embraced after a deeply personal turning point in his life.
Rahman shared that his journey into this mystic tradition began when he met his spiritual healer (pir), Qadri Moideem Chisti. Chisti was treating Rahman’s ailing father, and through that encounter, the family was introduced to the tenets of Sufism. The transition was not a departure from faith but an elevation of it.
Sufism: The Soul of Religion
When asked to differentiate Sufism from classical Islam, Rahman offered a beautiful analogy: “If you take a religion, it’s like an outer garment.”
He explained that Sufism is not a separate sect but a philosophy that goes “one step above” traditional practice. While Sufis adhere to Islamic practices like the Sharia, fasting, and prayer, the ultimate goal is singular: they enter a world where they seek only God’s love.
“If you don’t understand the real soul of it, the real soul of it comes from Sufism,” he asserted. “Then you know what is underneath it—then it’s all about love.”
This core emphasis on universal love and the oneness of the Creator is why Sufism is able to embrace people from all backgrounds. Rahman stressed that the philosophy believes one God created everything, and therefore, every human being on the whole universe shares that same divine origin. “That element of unity is there already in the hearts of people,” he concluded.
Music: The Vessel and the Soul
Rahman’s spiritual evolution is inextricably linked to his creative process. He views music itself through a similar lens of essence and form.
He likened melody to the “soul” of music. If the soul is set right, the melody can then don different “garments,” or arrangements, and still retain its healing power. Whether dressed in the rich structures of Indian classical music or the intricate layers of orchestral Western scores, the melody’s core spirit remains intact. This philosophy explains his seamless integration of global sounds, rhythms from the Middle East, and Western instrumentation with classical Indian ragas. For Rahman, music has that extraordinary, cliché-but-true power to “cross across those boundaries” and reach the heart, regardless of language or culture.
Vande Mataram: An Anthem for a Nation
Perhaps the greatest expression of Rahman’s commitment to unity through music is his landmark album, Vande Mataram.
The project was born out of a creative need. After five years immersed solely in film music, Rahman felt “really bored” and desired to do something that promoted unity with all communities for India’s 50th anniversary.
Though the song’s original, traditional title had been politicized over the years, Rahman’s version redefined its meaning for a new generation. He chose to interpret the underlying philosophy of the phrase as respect for the Motherland. He pointed to a Hadith (saying of the Prophet) that states, “Paradise lies under the feet of the Mother,” drawing a parallel between respect for one’s biological mother and one’s motherland.
For Rahman, the song’s emotional resonance—which he witnessed firsthand when performing it for a diverse crowd in New York—proved its pure, unifying message. He simply wanted to create a song that “connects all of us together,” trusting the power of God and creativity to make the true statement.
The Weight of a National Icon
As one of India’s most beloved figures—a national hero who happens to hail from a minority community—Rahman acknowledges the weight of responsibility. However, he prefers to view his role simply as a commitment to walking the path he started: “You have to lead a life which you started interning, and then just carry on like that.”
While he appreciates the affection, his focus remains inward: maintaining self-esteem and having the “inside space to realize that you have to keep walking.” For A. R. Rahman, the journey is about maintaining his personal integrity and allowing his music, rooted in the universal principle of love learned through Sufism, to continue serving as a bridge between faiths, nations, and hearts.
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