Just say a little prayer

Popular lyricist Prasoon Joshi has written a prayer song to mark the 801st anniversary of the Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah in Ajmer. It is popularly known as the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

Popular lyricist Prasoon Joshi has written a prayer song to mark the 801st anniversary of the Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah in Ajmer. It is popularly known as the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The prayer titled ‘Khwaja ka ishaara’ will be launched at a special sound-and-light show on the evening of April 12. The event will be inaugurated by Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, at the Akbari Quila in Ajmer. Expressing his connection with the holy location and how he feels about the project, Prasoon says, “I have had a special connection with Ajmer Sharif ever since I was a child. I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity.

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As they say, it’s a hukm (directive) and not everybody gets one. It wouldn’t have been possible without the inspirational conversations I had with Bina Kak (politician), who has been instrumental in this project.”

Talking about writing the song, Prasoon adds, “I have penned it in Hindavi (a fusion of Hindi and Urdu), which is a language that was used in the earlier days. Sonu (Nigam, singer) has sung it magically and Sajid-Wajid have composed it.”

When contacted, SM Fasihuddin Moini, the Moallim of the dargah says, “This period is called Urs (the death anniversary of the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, in honour of whom the Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah has been erected). People do a lot of special things during this time.”