In Lahore, the subtle mystics you oft ignore

In the Walled City of Lahore, the wandering faqeers, wearing green, is an interesting sight to witness and especially for those inclined towards spirituality of their existence, it is more than just a sight of a ‘madman’ dancing like a crazy. Oftentimes when there is an Urs, Mehfil e Samaa or Qawalli happening within the city and the faqeers come to know about it, they appear at the event and dance their heart out, also called Dhamaal.

The faqeer, a mystic ascetic, finds solace and divine connection through his wandering existence. Clad in simple garments, he roams the streets of Lahore, unburdened by material possessions. His unkempt look and attire frame a face etched with the lines of wisdom earned from a life of spiritual contemplation.

One fine evening when I was walking in the Walled City of Lahore on the Shahi Guzargah by the Wazir Khan Chowk, my eyes caught a glimpse of one such faqeer, dancing to the captivating tunes of a live qawalli during a festival of Syed Suf at his shrine near Wazir Khan Mosque.

It is usually the shrines of sufis where the faqeer’s dance finds its sanctuary. Here, amidst the bewitching melodies of qawalli, he surrenders himself to the transcendental experience. The echoing notes weave through the air, resonating with the ancient stones, creating a tapestry of sound that transcends time and space.

As the music envelops the space, the faqeer begins his dance. His movements are deliberate, yet free-flowing, an expression of his innermost connection with the divine. His feet seem to barely touch the ground, as if carried by an unseen force. With eyes half-closed, he loses himself in the music, swaying and spinning in a graceful rhythm.

Each step, each spin, is an offering to the higher power that resides within and beyond. The faqeer’s dance is not a performance, but a communion; a conversation between his soul and the eternal. It is a testament to the profound belief that the material world is but a fleeting illusion, and the true reality lies in the boundless expanse of the spiritual realm.

The onlookers, initially drawn by the spectacle, soon find themselves ensnared by the magnetic pull of the faqeer’s dance. In his presence, a palpable aura of serenity and divine connection permeates the atmosphere. They become witnesses to a sacred ritual, a reminder that within the cacophony of life, there exists a sanctuary of inner peace.

For the faqeer, this dance is a form of expression of his love for his creator, a way to transcend the limitations of the physical self and merge with the infinite. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith, and a reminder that true wealth lies not in worldly possessions, but in the treasures of the heart and spirit.

In the heart of Lahore, where history whispers through the ancient stones, a faqeer dances, bridging the gap between the temporal and the eternal. His swaying form is a living testament to the enduring power of music, faith, and the boundless potential of the human spirit.