Amir Khusrow Biography

Amir Khusro was a Sufi musician, poet and scholar regarded as the "father of Qawwali". An expert in many styles of Persian poetry, he has written in many verse forms including ghazal, masnavi, qata, rubai, do-baiti and tarkib-band. He played a significant role in the development of the arts and culture in the Indian subcontinent and is considered an iconic figure in the cultural history of the region. Credited to have introduced the ghazal style of song into India, he was also the one who introduced Persian, Arabic and Turkish elements into Indian classical music. Khusro was introduced to Sufism and music at an early age by his father. Bright and talented, he began composing verses from the time when he was just eight. He was raised in an intellectually stimulating atmosphere and received training in the arts and literature as well as Fiqh, astronomy, grammar, philosophy, logic, religion, mysticism and history. He went on to become an acclaimed poet who was greatly respected by the rulers of the land; he was associated with the royal courts of more than seven rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. He wrote primarily in Persian and Hindustani, though he had also composed a war ballad in Punjabi. Centuries after his death, his poetry is still sung today at Sufi shrines throughout Pakistan and India.