ISLAMABAD, Oct 5, 2026: The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, in collaboration with Dolphin Communication, staged a special theatre play titled “Amir Khusro” to pay tribute to the great Sufi poet, musician, writer and thinker Hazrat Amir Khusro.
The performance received warm appreciation from lovers of art, literature, music and Sufism. According to the organisers, the production was not merely a portrayal of a historical figure, but an effort to highlight Amir Khusro’s multi-dimensional personality, his thought, poetry, spirituality, music and his prominent role in the shared cultural tradition of the subcontinent through the medium of theatre.
Hazrat Amir Khusro is remembered as a unique figure in the cultural history of the subcontinent. He was a great Persian poet, an important literary representative of Hindavi, a Sufi, musician, historian and court intellectual. His personality reflected a harmony of Persian and Indian cultural influences, making him an important symbol of the subcontinent’s shared cultural identity.
The play presented various aspects of his life and legacy through characters and dialogues, including his poetry and literary services, Sufi thought, spiritual association with Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, contributions to music, his link with the tradition of qawwali and his influence on the language and culture of the subcontinent. Amir Khusro also holds a prominent place with reference to the development and promotion of qawwali and the musical style of ghazal in the subcontinent.
A major aspect of the production was the depiction of the spiritual bond between Hazrat Amir Khusro and Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. This relationship is considered a distinguished example of love, devotion and the bond between a spiritual guide and disciple in the Sufi tradition of the subcontinent.
Kaleem Khan played the role of Amir Khusro, while Shahid Mughal portrayed Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Neelum Arshad served as the narrator, while other artistes presented historical, literary and cultural characters.
Traditional music, tabla, sarangi and Sufi elements added impact to the presentation. The performances and dialogues connected the audience with the era of Amir Khusro and his intellectual and spiritual world.
The play was written by Arshad Chahal and directed by Muhammad Waqar Azeem. The special production was presented under the supervision of Executive Director and Producer Asma Ismail Butt.
A large number of people interested in art, literature, music and Sufism attended the programme. The audience appreciated different scenes, dialogues, music and the performances of the artistes.
At the conclusion of the programme, audience members observed that creative productions such as “Amir Khusro” not only keep alive the great literary and Sufi tradition, but also play an important role in introducing the new generation to the services of the great artistes and thinkers of the subcontinent.
The PNCA said it would continue to patronise and encourage quality programmes that highlight the country’s great literary, historical, Sufi and cultural heritage. It also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting creative and meaningful activities related to art, literature, music and culture so that the new generation could be introduced to the country’s rich civilisational and cultural traditions.
