The historic Purana Qila has been witness to many cultural events in the Capital. This year too, it provides the backdrop to a 11-year-old music festival called Ruhaniyat. Going along with its name, the festival will feature Sufi and mystic music by monks, fakirs, bauls, storytellers, folk musicians, qawwals from across India, and performers from other countries as well. “The festival has grown tremendously. We started from Mumbai, and now, the festival will be held across nine cities. This music form has a huge loyal audience,” says Nandini Ramesh, director of the festival.

This year, the festival in Delhi features Indian artists such as Avadhoot Gandhi and a group from Maharashtra, Sufiana Maqam Ensemble, Parvathy Baul from West Bengal, Sufi Kalam and mystic songs by Mamme Khan and group from Rajasthan and Sufi qawwali by Warsi Brothers and group from Hyderabad.

As for international performers, Dancing Dervishes - Tannoura from Egypt will be a special attraction at the festival. “It’s a rare art form from Egypt. The spiritual music has a vibrant element to it,” says Ramesh. Another interesting act will be that by Parvathy Baul,  who sings Baul songs. She made her debut in the music world with the first ever Ruhaniyat festival in Mumbai. “Baul is the song of the inner body of the yogis of India that leads to spiritual revelation,” she says.

Catch it live
What: Ruhaniyat 2012
When: November 25
Timing: 6.30pm
Entry: Passes are free (for passes, send an email to info@ruhaniyat.com or call at 9324143597)
Where: Purana Qila
Nearest metro station: Pragati Maidan on the blue line