Sufi singer Sameer Binsi gives Sree Narayana Guru's poems a musical touch

KOZHIKODE: Sufi singer Sameer Binsi is adding a musical touch to the poems of Sree Narayana Guru, the great spiritual leader who taught people to embrace everyone. For the first time, a Sufi singer is presenting the Guru's poems on stage through Sufi music.

His solo performance, 'Sacred Echoes', featuring the poems of Sufi poets and spiritual masters, was held in Kozhikode on the occasion of Guru Samadhi Day. This time, he performed selected verses from the works of Sree Narayana Guru, including Daiva Dasakam, Atmopadesa Satakam, Advaita Deepika, Jati Lakshanam, Bahuleyashtakam and Pindanandi.

Although Sameer has been presenting a blend of Guru and Sufi poetry for the past 23 years, it was only recently that he began performing the Guru's works exclusively.

Sameer said the musicality of Sufi poetry and the works of the Guru have spiritual and philosophical similarities. Both focus on embracing everyone, he said. While performing Sufi poet Abdul Qadir Icha Mastan's 'Thalolam Padunna Thankachippenne', he also sings lines from Kundalini Paattu. His videos, titled 'Guru Mastaneeyam' and 'Thalolam Padunna', have gone viral on YouTube.

Sameer is also a member of Songs of Soul and Soil, one of Kerala's prominent Sufi bands, along with Imam Majboor and Akbar. He hails from Melmuri in Malappuram. His wife is Beegum Jashida. Their children are Ishq Ruhi, Shams Tab Resi and Raas Milan.

Icha Mastan-Guru meeting

History records that Sree Narayana Guru and Abdul Qadir Icha Mastan met in Kannur. Their meeting is believed to have influenced Mastan to turn towards Sufism. Sameer said Guru came to his mind suddenly 23 years ago while he was performing at Kalamandalam. He then sang the verses he remembered. That was when he began performing Guru and Sufi poetry together.

“I have been singing since childhood. I became interested in Sufi music while pursuing my MA in Aligarh.”
- Sameer Binsi