As part of the series of talks on
The Frontiers of History

India International Centre, New Delhi
invites you to a talk:

Appropriating Amir Khusrau to create versions of cultural identity in India and Pakistan

By Yousuf Saeed

Chaired by Prof. Sunil Kumar (Deptt. of History, Delhi University)

at 6:30 pm, on 11th March 2011 (Friday), in Seminar Hall (above IIC library)
India International Centre, New Delhi

Synopsis:
The name of Amir Khusrau, a 14th century poet-composer employed with several rulers of the Delhi Sultanate has liberally been used by the practitioners of a variety of fields such as music, literature, history and religion to generate a sense of cultural identity both in India as well as Pakistan, often using rather improbable claims. This illustrated talk explores some examples from the classical music and popular literature that have been attributed over the years to Khusrau but also contested by the historians, especially through recent research. What are the factors that created the cultural legend about the poet and how his name still inspires the artistic creation for a large number of musicians all over south Asia? The talk uses audio and video clips besides readings from Khusrau’s poetry.

Yousuf Saeed, a Delhi-based independent researcher and filmmaker, has been exploring the legend of Amir Khusrau in south Asia since 1995 through his documentary films as well as a website dedicated to his works.

Entry is free. For details about the venue, see http://www.iicdelhi.nic.in. For more on Amir Khusrau, see www.alif-india.com

India International Centre
40, Max Mueller Marg,
New Delhi - 110003
Tel.: 011 - 24619431  011 - 24619431