Istanbul: Sufism
Photos & Words: Salina Christmas

As you'd expect, the Art of Sound doesn't aim to emulate nature. Yes, this is abstract art.

Faruqi describes that the tonal setting is not set against a single set of words (for example, like an opera or a musical). As a result, you get different melodies for one poem, or different poems set against one melody. Think of repetitive chanting. That's abstract.

What I find perplexing about this modern dervish expression: It is rich with individual styles and musical "depictions" commonly found in popular music intended for the hoi pollloi's consumption.

But one has to remember: this is an adoration rite not found in the Holy Books — it is an add-on. It dares to have the creative license to incorporate elements of "music" to it.