Exploring Sufi heritage of Assam: Zikir, Zari & legacy of Rekibuddin Ahmed
Little known to many, Assam, a state in Northeast India, boasts a rich Sufi culture that took root in the 17th century. This vibrant culture was introduced by the esteemed Sufi saint and poet, Hazrat Shah Miran, who is more commonly referred to as Ajan Pir. Ajan Pir played a significant role in popularizing and propagating Islam in Assam through his compositions and teachings.
One of his notable contributions, was the introduction and promotion of two variants of Sufi songs: Zikir and Zari. Zikir songs focus on the teachings of Islam, emphasizing the remembrance of Allah's name, while Zari songs narrate the tragic events of the Karbala tragedy.
ABOUT ZIKIR & ZARI
Zikir gatherings, which involve devotional assemblies rooted in Islamic mysticism or Sufism, became an integral part of Assam's socio-cultural fabric, particularly under the patronage of the Ahom kings who ruled Assam from the 13th to the 19th century.
Ajan Pir, along with his brother Shah Navi, arrived in Assam from Baghdad in the early 17th century, settling in Soraguri Sapori, in present-day Sivasagar district. Influenced by the Vaisnavite thoughts, teachings, and music of Saint Srimanta Sankardeva, Ajan Pir incorporated Assamese language and cultural elements into his compositions.
Zikir and Zari songs not only served as a means of religious reformation among the indigenous Muslim community in Assam but also fostered harmonious relationships between Muslims, Hindus, and Vaisnavites. Ajan Pir's respect for all castes, creeds, and religions is evident in his compositions, reflecting his assimilation into Assamese culture despite his foreign origins.
The influence of Ajan Pir and Srimanta Sankardeva brought about a revolutionary change in Assamese culture and society, challenging narrow-minded attitudes and fostering a sense of inclusivity and harmony among the people. Through their teachings and artistic expressions, these two great saints left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Assam, shaping its ethos for generations to come.
Zikirs extend to the extent of expressing admiration for the Hindu sect.
One of the Zikirs goes as:
Sankardeur jiyari madhavdeur bowari
Rahpur nagarat ghar
Rahpur nagarar rasak namai ani
Diya sakaloke bati.
It means: “She is that the daughter of Sankaradeva and daughter-in-law of Madhavadeva and she dwells within the city of Rahpur or land of rasa that's the sentiment of affection and devotion Bring down the rasa from the town of Rahpur and distribute it among us all.”
It also highlights the unity between the Hindus and Assamese Muslims in Assam.
It states:
Mor monot bhed bhab nai o Allah
Mor monot bhin par nai o Allah
Hindu ki Musalman
Ekei Allahr farman
Mor monot eketi bhab.
It means: “There is no difference in my mind. Be it a Hindu or a Muslim; we are children of one God. I feel all the people are the same.”
LEGACY OF ZIKIR XOMRAT REKIBUDDIN AHMED
Rekibuddin Ahmed was born on April 01, 1939 in Balibat village, located at Dergaon in Golaghat district of Assam. He was the youngest child of Tamizuddin Ahmed and Nooran Nisa.
From a tender age, Rekibuddin Ahmed was immersed in the traditions of Zikir and Zari, introduced to him by his father. In addition to these, he was also acquainted with Fulkonwar, Monikonwar Geet, Nisukoni Geet, Bihu, etc.
His early education began at Jelehua Gaon Lower Primary (LP) School, where he laid the foundation for his academic journey. Subsequently, he pursued his further studies at Dergaon High School, culminating in his successful completion of the matriculation exam in 1957. Continuing his educational pursuit, he enrolled at Jagannath Barooah (JB) College in the Jorhat district of Assam, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1961.
After a brief stint as a teacher at Naharani High School, Rekibuddin Ahmed assumed the role of an assistant teacher at Gurjugonia High School on July 21, 1961. Dedicated to his profession, he remained at Gurjugonia High School for three decades until his promotion to assistant headmaster in 1991. Recognized for his contributions, he was further elevated to the position of headmaster in 1995.
With the transformation of Gurjugonia High School into a higher secondary institution, Rekibuddin Ahmed was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the principal in-charge. Finally, in 1997, after years of dedicated service in the field of education, Rekibuddin Ahmed retired from his academic career.
In 1954, Rekibuddin Ahmed took to the stage for the first time to perform Zikir at Dergaon High School during an award ceremony. This inaugural performance marked the commencement of Rekibuddin Ahmed's significant contribution to Assam's cultural landscape.
In 1963, Biren Phukan, the program director of All India Radio-Guwahati, visited Rekibuddin Ahmed's residence and recorded a mesmerizing Zikir performance, subsequently broadcasted on radio. Recognizing his talent, All India Radio-Guwahati bestowed upon Rekibuddin Ahmed the title of a radio artiste in 1964. From then until his passing, he regularly showcased his skills in Zikir and Zari performances for All India Radio's Guwahati and Dibrugarh centres.
He was also associated with Prasar Bharati for a long time.
Rekibuddin Ahmed played a pivotal role in revitalizing Zikir and Zari songs, which were on the brink of extinction, through his numerous performances. His efforts bore fruit as his renditions gained popularity not only among Muslims but across Assamese society.
As Rekibuddin Ahmed and his troupe of artists began captivating audiences with their performances at radio centres and various events, Zikir and Zari became widely embraced throughout Assam. Their popularity led to numerous invitations to perform at events across the state.
In addition to performing Zikir and Zari, Rekibuddin Ahmed also crafted original compositions aimed at promoting and strengthening unity between the Hindu and Muslim communities in Assam.
One of his compositions states:
Hinduloi pronam koru
Musolmanok koru moi salaam
Diya luar majot ase
Kun baru hei meherban
Akeijonei hei meherban
In 1990, Rekibuddin Ahmed's invaluable contributions to the revival of the Zikir and Zari traditions in Assam were formally acknowledged by the state government. The prestigious Silpi Bota award was bestowed upon him in recognition of his efforts. He was awarded with Silpi pension by the Assam government in 1994. Additionally, the Jorhat Panorama honoured him with the title of Sangeet Jyoti for his remarkable achievements in the field.
In 1997, the Azan Pir Dargah Committee further recognized Ahmed's dedication by presenting him with the esteemed Azan Pir Award. The Assam government also honoured him with the first all-India level Azan Pir Award in 2004 posthumously. Despite receiving numerous accolades from both governmental bodies and other organizations, Ahmed never sought awards or citations. His sole objective remained the revival and preservation of the centuries-old Zikir and Zari songs. And thus, he is popularly known as Zikir Xomrat Rekibuddin Ahmed.
Rekibuddin Ahmed, at the age of 61, met a tragic end on January 14, 2001, in a fatal road accident. His wife, Khaleda Begum, and several fellow artists also lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. They were on their way to Guwahati to perform Zikir at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakhetra.
It is worth noting that while Syed Abdul Malik and Muhibul Haque played a crucial role in preserving the endangered Zikir and Zari songs in written form, Rekibuddin Ahmed dedicated himself to promoting these unique forms of Sufi music, which originated and thrived exclusively in Assam, through his numerous performances.