Aqnazar Rumi CD

Aqnazar, the prodigious Tajik singer from Badakhshan (Pamir), lends his phenomenal voice to the prolific mystic poet Rumi (1207-1273). Rumi, whose son founded the Whirling Dervishes, has captured readers throughout the world. In the Middle East, his life and writings are sacred to his Sufi followers. In India, Muslims and Hindus alike cherish his poetry for its spirituality and formal beauty. He is one of the most widely read poets in America, and one of the dominant voices of New Age lyricism. Aqnazar sings and plays the "rubob" lute, accompanied by Mavlodod Bakhtiyorov ("tanbur" and "setor" lutes) and Shodikhon Mabatkulov ("daf" drum). The latter said, at the end of the recording session: "Today, God was listening."