ISLAMABAD, October 5, 2026: The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, in collaboration with Dolphin Communication, presented a special theatre play titled “Amir Khusro” to honour the life and contributions of the great Sufi poet, musician, writer and thinker Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA).
The performance received an enthusiastic response from audiences associated with art, literature, music and Sufism. Rather than merely portraying a historical personality, the production highlighted the many dimensions of Amir Khusro’s life, including his thought, poetry, spirituality, music and his important role in the shared cultural heritage of the subcontinent.
Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA) is remembered as a unique figure in the cultural history of the subcontinent. He was a renowned Persian poet, an important literary voice of Hindavi, a Sufi, musician, historian and court intellectual. His personality reflected a harmony between Persian and Indian cultural traditions, making him an important symbol of the region’s composite cultural identity.
Through different characters and dialogues, the play focused on his poetry and literary achievements, Sufi thought, spiritual association with Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA), services in the field of music, connection with the tradition of qawwali, and influence on the language and culture of the subcontinent. Amir Khusro (RA) is also regarded as a prominent figure in the formation and promotion of qawwali and in popularising the musical style of ghazal in the region.
A major aspect of the production was the portrayal of the spiritual bond between Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA) and Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA), a relationship considered an important example of love, devotion and the bond between mentor and disciple in the Sufi tradition of the subcontinent.
Kaleem Khan performed the role of Amir Khusro, while Shahid Mughal appeared as Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA). Neelam Arshad served as the narrator, while other performers presented historical, literary and cultural characters with grace.
Traditional music, tabla, sarangi and Sufi expression added depth to the presentation. The performances and dialogues connected the audience with the era of Amir Khusro and his intellectual and spiritual world.
The play was written by Arshad Chahal and directed by Muhammad Waqar Azeem. The special presentation was staged under the supervision of Executive Director and Producer Asma Ismail Butt.
A large number of art, literature, music and Sufism enthusiasts attended the programme. The audience appreciated various scenes, dialogues, musical segments and the performances of the artists.
At the conclusion, members of the audience observed that creative presentations such as “Amir Khusro” not only help keep alive the country’s great literary and Sufi traditions, but also play an important role in introducing the younger generation to the services of great artists and thinkers of the subcontinent.
PNCA said it would continue to support and encourage quality programmes aimed at highlighting the country’s literary, historical, Sufi and cultural heritage. The council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting creative and meaningful activities linked with art, literature, music and culture so that the younger generation could be acquainted with its rich civilisational and cultural traditions.
