Radhika's Creative Portfolio

For this piece, I was inspired most by Salim – Sulaiman’s music video, for their newest song ‘Allahu Akbar’, which features a whirling dervish and a tree of life, bathed in bright light. The scene appears most peaceful and devout, almost transcendent really. I was fascinated to hear Salim – Sulaiman speak about the rhythmic and musical element – not only in the Quran, but also in the daily call to prayer ‘Allahu Akbar’. Despite contemporary critique against music and dance in Islam, Salim – Sulaiman emphasized in the devotional quality of their art and its age-old nature; this discourse highlights the various interpretations of religion.

The whirling dervishes dance in a Sufi trance, oblivious to the material world around them – they submit themselves to God’s will and power. Such deep spirituality reminds me of several figures in the stories we have read, such as Haneen in the Wedding of Zein.

I personally think that the art of the whirling dervishes can aptly define “islam” as utter “submission” to God. This notion reminds me of Muhammad Iqbal’s “Rumuz-e-Bekhudi”, which urges us to stop being self-absorbed, and emphasises on selflessness. My work also reflects the major theme in Ambiguous Adventure, about the need to divest man’s egocentric character. In the context of the book, Samba is taught to become less egocentric, and more humble and godcentric. Ego and materialistic needs are an obstacle to seeing God. The whirling dervishes are not held back by these obstacles, as can be seen by the freedom in their movements.

We’ve also seen many Coke Studio Pakistan’s devotional music, and therefore this piece is a response to art and creativity as a medium for personal forms of devotion and communication with God.

~ by radhikagoyal on October 27, 2015.