The female Sufism is yet to experience, the Roohani sisters speak of the genre no more male-dominated. Spiritual, Ecstatic, Dynamic & Powerful Music, performed in perfect coordination by such young, talented and versatile singers, is an ultimate treat to the listeners. Woman Times take a delight in revealing the mystic ladies, Dr. Jagriti Luthra Prasanna and Dr. Neeta Pandey Negi.
The Roohani Sisters are two sisters connected more by the passion and love for music than the umbilical cord. Born to two different mothers, these sisters have complemented each other for a decade. As the music industry has more male partnerships this is another example of female partnership with dedication and harmony. Being women and in the field of Sufism, it has been a dual challenge for both of them which they have successfully overcome and had also been the guiding star for so many other female singers aspiring to be in this genre.
When the world was busy in Sufism considering it to be the male-centric music, these Roohani sisters were grooming into the souls of Sufism, and have performed Sufiyana Qalams, Qawwali, Kafi and Ghazals in traditional style, so far. However, they have not restricted themselves to this traditional style of singing, rather they have brought a new wave of improvisations in their singing which instantly connects with the heart. They have merged their music with various elements of Indian Classical Music, such as Sargams, tans, bol-aalap, layakaari, bol baant etc. which makes their rendition even more conventional and appealing.
While Dr. Neeta Pandey Negi has emphasized on the Contribution of Women to Sufi Music, Dr. Jagriti Luthra Prasanna has carried on the legacy of her father-in-law, the very famous flutist and Shehnai player, Pt. Rajendra Prasanna. What makes them even more popular is the fact that they are one of the handfuls of gems of Female Sufi musicians. As it is already known that this genre of music is usually dominated by males, but Roohani Sisters, with their excellent performance and unique style of presenting Sufi Music, have carved a discernable niche for themselves. Their offered style has made them earn lauds and laurels from Sufi Music lovers. Not only gayaki, but they give equal importance to the accurate presentation of the words of Qalams, so that the correct meaning is conveyed to the listeners and they not only listen to it but also understand it.
Both the Roohani sisters have travelled across the nation to perform of which has been the Annual festival of Medical Association of Delhi, 2016-17; Uttarakhand’s Foundation Day, Dehradun 2010; Delhi International Art Festival, 2011; International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, Delhi, 2015; Rahgiri Day, Connaught Place in 2015 and the list goes on. Roohani Sisters are empanelled artists of I.C.C.R. (Ministry of Ext. Affairs) and have represented India in various countries of the world and that makes them international Sufi singers representing India proudly.
Roohani sisters are also trained in Indian classical Vocal music. Moving on to their qualifications and accreditations, Dr. Jagriti’s basic foundation of Classical Music has been laid down by Smt. Ketaki Banerjee of Kiran Gharana and her advanced training is going on under the guidance of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra of Banaras Gharana. She is also getting trained in technicalities of Sufiyana and Ghazal Gayaki from Ustaad Sakhawat Hussain Khan who is the grandson of Padma Bhushan Ustad Mushtaq Hussain Khan of Rampur-Sehaswan Gharana.
Dr. Neeta has learned Indian Classical Music from Late Shri Vipin Mudgal of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi, and Smt. Ketaki Banerjee of Kirana Gharana. She underwent semi-classical and Ghazal training from Smt. Charanjeet Soni (Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra, Delhi) and is currently learning Sufiyana and Ghazal Gayaki under the table guidance of Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan, Khalifa of Dilli Gharana.
So, music lovers if you are yet to discover this pair of Sufi singers just dive into their sur and taal to explore more of eternal music. Enjoy Sufiyana with the Roohani Sisters.
