Amir Khusrau
Ameer Khusrau was an Indian musician, scholar and poet. He is regarded as the "father of qawwali" He is also credited with enriching Hindustani classical music by introducing Persian and Arabic elements in it, and was the originator of the khayal and tarana styles of music. The invention of the tabla is also traditionally attributed to him. His contribution to the development of the ghazal hitherto little used in India, is particularly significant.
He was an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent during the 12th century. A Sufi mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, he was not only a notable poet but also a prolific and seminal musician. He wrote poetry primarily in Persian, but also in Hindavi.
He also spoke Arabic and Sanskrit. His poetry is still sung today at Sufi shrines throughout India & Pakistan
Khusrau was a prolific classical poet associated with the royal courts of more than seven rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. He is popular in much of North India and Pakistan, because of many playful riddles, songs and legends attributed to him. Through his enormous literary output and the legendary folk personality, Khusrow represents one of the first (recorded) Indian personages with a true multi-cultural or pluralistic identity.
Ameer Khusrau
Date of Issue : 24 October 1975
India & Pakistan released stamps in 1975 to honour his 700th anniversary.
- Kenneth Sequeira
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
