Indonesians treated to Sufi, Punjabi folk music

People in four Indonesian cities were treated to a mix of Sufi and Punjabi folk music as part of the ongoing Festival of India 2015.

Indian sufi singer Lakhwinder Singh Wadali's group performed for 'Sahabat India - The Festival of India in Indonesia' in Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Jakarta from March 18 to 22, the Indian embassy here said.

The sheer virtuosity of Lakhwinder regaled the audience who were also impressed by deep sense of humanism and elevated status of music in Sufism.

Lakhwinder Singh Wadali comes from a family which has nurtured musical traditions for generations and are highly regarded for singing Sufi and Punjabi folk songs.

The ideas of Sufism were well received in Indonesia, a Muslim majority country which believes in liberal and tolerant Islam. The Indian diaspora which also believes in liberal religious traditions also appreciated the performances.

The attraction of Sufi tradition was evident in the good response that Lakhwinder Wadali got for their performances.

Wadali explained concepts of Sufism by citing verses of Sufi saints between his songs. The music and singing brought home the essence of verse and helped create an atmosphere where liberal religious ideas were well received. Besides Sufi, Lakhwinder Wadali also sang Punjabi and Heer folk songs.