About
01
Early Life & Education
Muzaffar Ali studied in La Martinière College, Lucknow. While he underwent the upheavals of the changing social situation, he began getting involved in painting as a child.
In 1966 he graduated from Aligarh Muslim University in Geology, Botany and Chemistry.
The impact of the thought-provoking poetry of its time in the early sixties made an indelible impact on his mind.
02
Early Career
He began his early working career in Calcutta in 1966 with Clarion McCann Advertising Services, in which Satyajit Ray used to work as an Art Director. Muzaffar Ali was introduced to Calcutta by a close friend, the famous poet Subhas Mukhopadhyaya and it was here that his mind opened to the idea of using film as a medium of social commentary and artistic expression. The same medium of films, which had conveyed an ethos of cultural degradation, began to be seen as a tool of cultural emancipation. In 1968 he had his first one man show of paintings at the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta.
After a short spell in Delhi, at Advertising and Sales Promotion Company where he handled tourism and publicity, Muzaffar Ali moved to Mumbai, to work with Air India as no. 2 in the Publicity Department.
In Air India, Muzaffar Ali had a very successful term of 10 years working with the legendary J R D Tata and Bobby Kooka. It broadened his vision as he promoted India abroad through arts, crafts and culture, set up a department promoting international conferences in India. This included conceptualizing and setting up of an international conference centre and hotel in Srinagar, Kashmir. This is the present Centaur Lake View Hotel and the government owned Sher e Kashmir Conference Centre, of which he was on the Board of Governors. In 1972, Muzaffar Ali exhibited his collages at Pundole Art Gallery, Mumbai.
03
Gaman & Umrao Jaan
His first feature film Gaman was made in 1978 and was the most awarded film at the 26th National Film Festival, Delhi, 1979.
In 1981 he resigned from Air India to complete his most acclaimed film Umrao Jaan and to fully devote his time to films and art. Umrao Jaan continues to evoke interest in international film circles as a landmark film and is still invited to open and be part of retrospectives and film festivals across the world.
In 1982 Muzaffar Ali entered the field of documentary and short films, mainly centered on Awadh, craft, culture, poetry, exploitation of women, classic novels and short stories and Sufism.
Having left Air India, Muzaffar Ali realized that painting expressed a more intimate form of his aesthetics and in 1983 he exhibited a series of collages at the Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai.
04
Zooni
In 1983, the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi appointed Muzaffar Ali on a National Committee for software development for the newly opened satellite TV in India.
In 1986 he made Anjuman, a feature film on the chikan craftswomen of Lucknow. In 1990, waiting to complete Zooni (one of his major films), shot both in English and Hindi, he set up a studio in Delhi and began painting a series of collages that were reminiscent of the valley. These were exhibited in 1990 in Gallery Carma, New Delhi along with craft he had designed in his studio in Kashmir. His works of art, collages, craft design and fashion were exhibited in May 1991 at the Gallery La Fayatte in Paris as part of the Festival of India.
"My inspiration is man and the universe."
05
Roots
After creating an international impact with his work, in 1991 Muzaffar Ali turned back to his roots in Kotwara and Lucknow, where most of his films were shot. He came back with a different motivation. This time it was not only film but to realize in life what most of his films were all about, to return the inspiration of the people in the form of development and livelihood.
06
Dwar pe Rozi & House of Kotwara
Based on the inspiration and message of his first film Gaman, migration from rural to urban centres, Muzaffar Ali began a movement Dwar Pe Rozi (DPR), to provide employment at doorstep through craft with a special emphasis on weaving, embroidery and styling. DPR as a registered society also runs a charitable school in Kotwara for the children of that area with an emphasis on rural employment.
Furthermore, his interest in craft and clothes, through his mother and the way he used them in Umrao Jaan, Anjuman and Zooni, motivated him to design clothes with the help of his architect wife Meera. The collection is known all over the country and the world as KOTWARA which evokes a bygone era known for its finesse in style and craftsmanship. Acceptance of his work in a contemporary setting gives him strength to perpetuate this movement.
07
Jashn e Awadh
Jashn e Awadh was Muzaffar Ali‘s tribute to Awadh’s unique traditional attire, cuisine, tehzeeb - the Ganga-Jammuni culture of Awadh for Taj Mahal Group of Hotels. This slide and live show with the music and poetry of Awadh was held at Taj Mahal Hotels at Lucknow, Mumbai and Delhi between October to November 1996. This was a concrete first step in promoting Tourism to Lucknow and Awadh and its inclusion in the Heritage Arc of connecting Agra and Varanasi.
08
Conservation of Culture & Craft
Muzaffar Ali is actively involved in the promotion and conservation of the culture and craft of Awadh, individually as an artist and as active member of INTACH, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, of which he was also member of the Governing Council.
"I had seen a world within a world through my sojourn in geology."
...essentially a painter and filmmaker deeply inspired by Sufism has developed a discerning eye and vision for aesthetics and humanity. He has established an in-depth admiration for his creativity all over the world and follows his creative pursuits without compromise - music, painting, fashion, craft, design - culminating in his passion for making films.
Born on 21st October 1946, Muzaffar Ali is the present Raja of Kotwara, one of the oldest living civilizations in the largest district of Awadh. His father Raja Syed Sajid Husain, M.A. from Edinburgh University was a very progressive individual. He was an independent member of the Legislative Assembly from Kotwara from 1936 to 1952 and was also the Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly for one term. He died in 1991 as Chairman of the Indian Humanist Union.
Muzaffar Ali...
The leaf of every tree brings,
A message from the unseen world.
Look, every falling leaf is a blessing.
- Rumi
09
Art, Culture and Music
On 12th February 2000 he concluded his ninth one-man show of sketches and collages at Art Today Gallery, New Delhi. This was followed by Jaam e Ishq, a dance ballet as an inaugural event for the World Presidents Organization.
On 7th November 2000 he presented Tajjalli, an Indo-Iranian Music Concert in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran blending Indian dancers, singers and musicians with singers and musicians from Iran.
To commemorate 50 years of Independence and the partition he created a music album entitled Paigham e Mohabbat, the Message of Love with Abida Parveen singing Indian poets and Indian singers singing the verses of poets from across the border. Spiritual poetry of submission and surrender began to attract him. He created an album of Sufi Ghazal with Abida Parveen, entitled Raqs e Bismil, the Dance of the Wounded.
10
Jahan e Khusrau & Rumi Foundation
From 2001 he initiated an annual international Music Festival, Jahan e Khusaru, in Delhi, dedicated to the 13th century mystic poet Hazrat Amir Khusrau. In this festival singers and musicians from different parts of the world and India participate creating a new genre of world Sufi music. The 15th edition of Jahan e Khusrau was concluded successfully in Delhi in March 2020. Over the last two decades Jahan e Khusrau has also been held in Lucknow, Jaipur, Shrinagar, Patna, Boston and London under the aegis of Rumi Foundation of which Muzaffar Ali is Executive Director and Secretary.
Instituted in 2004 with a vision to promote Global Oneness, bridging the east west divide, the Rumi Foundation also hold the Wajid Ali Shah Festival of Conserving Cultures and the world Sufi Music festival, Jahan e Khusrau, and publishes a journal – HU, the Sufi Way, of which the 5th issue ‘A Leaf turns Yellow’ is on the Sufis of Awadh.
11
Cultural Appointments
He was appointed Chairman of the Jury, Indian Panorama at the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa in 2009 following which a retrospective of his feature films was held at IFFI, Goa in 2010 featuring Gaman, Aagaman and Anjuman.
Muzaffar Ali served ex-officio member of Prasar Bharti Board from 2010 to 2017.
Muzaffar Ali was appointed Chairman of the International Jury of the 48th International Film Festival of India, Goa in 2017.
"I behave like a filmmaker in my art and an artist in my films."
Tree limbs rise and fall like the ecstatic arms
of those who have submitted to the mystical life.
Leaf sounds talk together
Like poets making fresh metaphors.
– Rumi
Feature Films
Films are a reflection of a social predicament that shapes cultures. It is the most evolved medium today, and its sensitive and responsible use can bring about true brotherhood of man. In that sense it is sacred. It integrates the most innovative use of light and sound, poetry and music, movement and dance. Films are a journey into times and lives of people who have lived lives that have made a difference. They may have shaped events or been helpless in the hands of destiny.
"I consider Films as visual poetry, and as a lover of poetry I am moving towards Sufi thought."
~ Muzaffar Ali
1978,
Gaman
Muzaffar Ali’s 1st feature film on the problem of migration from a rural milieu to an urban metropolis and was the most awarded film at the 26th national Film Festival, Delhi in 1979. It won several other awards and accolades and was screened at International films festivals both in India and abroad.
1981,
Umrao Jaan
A bio-epic on the life of a 19th century courtesan of Lucknow. Won several awards and accolades and was also screened at International Film Festivals in India and abroad.
1983,
Aagaman
Treated the subject of the struggle of sugar cane farmers to establish their cooperative mill with great sensitivity.
1986,
Anjuman
A sensitive story on the exploitation of Chikan embroidery women of Lucknow was screened at several International Film Festivals.
1989,
Zooni
Under production, is based on the 16th century legendary peasant poetess queen of Kashmir.
2015,
Jaanisaar
An epic set in Lucknow in North of India two decades after the first war of Indian independence in 1876, is a passionate love story of an Anglicized Raja Ameer Haider and Noor, the fiery courtesan whose love for freedom is stoked and sustained by the underground revolutionaries.
Whatever you keep hidden in your heart,
God manifests in you outwardly.
Whatever the root of the tree feeds on in secret,
affects the bough and the leaf.
- Rumi
"I work on certain deep-rooted emotions that are connected with my culture. You are led to them through various circumstances and social influences.
In a way, I am led to make the films I make."
~Muzaffar Ali
Philisophy
With every breath
I plant the seeds of devotion,
I am a farmer of the heart.
- Rumi
1987, Jaan e Alam [13 episodes]
Doordarshan
1993, Husn e Jaana [27 episodes]
Living Media, India Today
2006, Zabaan e Ishq [14 episodes]
Doordarshan
1990, Sama
Doordarshan
1991, Seena ba Seena
Doordarshan
1995, Paigham e Mohabbat I & II
Doordarshan
1996, Paigham e Mohabbat III & IV
Doordarshan
1998, Nisbat
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
1999, Raqs e Dil, the Dance within
Doordarshan
2001, Rumi in the land of Khusrau
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
2002, India, the Garden of Saints
Department of Tourism, Government of India
2005, Breathe into me
Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India
TV Series & Spiritual Films
TV Series
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Spiritual Films
Muzaffar Ali's spiritual films are the culmination of his musical and poetic sensibilities in the form of surrender.
Plurality dances on the bosom of Unity,
Matter plays in the heart of the Spirit.
- Guru Gorakhnath
Short Films
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1982, Vasiquedars, Pensioners of Awadh
Films Division, Government of India
1983, Venue India
Department of Tourism, Government of India
1983, Woodcraft of Saharanpur
Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Council
1986, Laila Majnu ki nai Nautanki
Indian Potash Ltd.
1984, Vadakath, a Thervad in Kerala
Films Division, Government of India
1984, Kue Yaar Main
Films Division, Government of India
1985, Vapas Chalo
Doordarshan
1985, Sheeshon ka Masiha
Government of Madhya Pradesh
1985, Aya Basant Sakhi
Ministry of Women & Social Welfare Department, Government of India
1985, Kali Mohini
Ministry of Women & Social Welfare Department, Government of India
1985, Semal ka Darakth
Ministry of Women & Social Welfare Department, Government of India
1998, Fragrance of Love
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
1999, Mangala
Doordarshan
2000, Damyanti
Doordarshan
2003, Flying Paper Planes
UNESCO
2006, Bharat ka lal, Lal Bahadur Shastri
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2016, Dastaan e Dastakari Part I - Agra
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2016, Dastaan e Dastakari Part II - Varanasi
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2016, Dastaan e Dastakari Part III - Moradabad
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2016, Dastaan e Dastakari Part IV - Lucknow
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2017, GI Handlooms of India: Muga Silk of Assam
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2017, GI Handlooms of India: Bhagalpur Silk
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2017, GI Handlooms of India: Pashmina of Kashmir
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2017, GI Handlooms of India: Saris & Textiles of Maheshwar
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2017, GI Handlooms of India: Ikat of Pochampally
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2017, GI Handlooms of India: Tangalia Shawls of Gujarat
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2018, GI Handicrafts of India: Kutch Embroidery
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2018, GI Handicrafts of India: Bidri craft of Bidar
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2018, GI Handicrafts of India: Durries & Carpets of Mirzapur
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2018, GI Handicrafts of India: Papier-mâché of Kashmir
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2018, GI Handicrafts of India: Woodcraft of Saharanpur
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2018, GI Handicrafts of India: Chikankari of Lucknow
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
2019, Dastaan e Dastakari Part V - Firozabad
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2019, Dastaan e Dastakari Part VI - Kannauj
Government of Uttar Pradesh
2020, A New Dawn in the Valley - A film on Kashmir
India Narrative
Wherever you are,
and whatever you do,
be in love.
- Rumi
Art Shows & Experiences
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"Painting is an intimate expression of my visual and emotional sensibilities. It is also a means to an end in my films and spiritual experience of colour, texture and space. I flow between sketching with a pen to water colour to oil, on paper and canvas, and collages on wood."
~ Muzaffar Ali
1964, Lucknow
GW Laurie, Lucknow
1966, AMU Aligarh
General Education Centre, Kennedy Hall, Aligarh
1968, Calcutta
Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta
1972, Bombay
Pundole Art Gallery, Mumbai
1983, Bombay
Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai
1985, Bombay
Private Exhibition, Juhu, Mumbai
1990, Delhi
Carma Gallery, New Delhi
1991, Paris
Gallery Lafayette, Paris, France
2000, Delhi
Art Today, New Delhi
2005, Delhi
Triveni Art Gallery & The Oberoi Hotel, New Delhi
2020, The Other Side
079 Stories, Ahmedabad
2020, Hyderabad [Virtual Exhibition]
Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad
2022, Awaaz e Ishq, presented by Bisleri
Bikaner House, New Delhi
2023, Muzaffar Ali curated by Uma Nair, presented by Masha Art
Bikaner House, New Delhi
There is a candle in your heart,
ready to be kindled.
There is a void in your soul,
ready to be filled.
You feel it, don’t you?
- Rumi
Theatre, Ballet, Operas & Festivals
Stagecraft through operas like the 'Fakir of Benares' opened a new experimentation of music and the performing arts. Theatre Ballets like 'Indra Sabha' surfaced in the vocabulary of Muzaffar Ali's audio-visual expressions integrating Kathak and Thumri in novel ways. The Wajid Ali Shah Festival held in Lucknow is a tribute to these onetime vibrant traditions of our composite culture and performing arts.
2000, Jaam e Ishq, Delhi
2000, Tajjalli, Delhi
2001, Jahan e Khusrau I, Delhi
2002, Fakir of Benares, Delhi, An Indo-French Opera
2002, Jahan e Khusrau II, Delhi
2003, Fakir of Benares, Mumbai
2003, Jahan e Khusrau III, Delhi
2004, Shringaar, Adornment of Indian beauty, Delhi
2004, Jahan e Khusrau IV, Delhi
2005, Jahan e Khusrau V, Delhi
2005, Nazr e Salim Chishti, Fatehpur Sikri
2005, Jahan e Ishq, Agra
2006, Jahan e Khusrau VI, Delhi
2006, Karwaan e Rumi, Karachi
2007, Jahan e Khusrau VII, Delhi
2009, Jahan e Khusrau, Srinagar
2009, Jahan e Khusrau I, Jaipur
2010, Jahan e Khusrau VIII, Delhi
2011, Jahan e Khusrau IX, Delhi
2011, Jahan e Khusrau II, Jaipur
2011, Jahan e Khusrau I, Lucknow
2012, Jahan e Khusrau X, Delhi
2012, Jahan e Khusrau II, Lucknow
2012, Jahan e Khusrau III, Jaipur
2018, Jahan e Khusrau, Delhi 2013 & 2017
2013, Wajid Ali Shah Festival I, Lucknow – Ballet “Gomti”
2015, Wajid Ali Shah Festival II, Lucknow – Ballet “Indra Sabha”
2016, Wajid Ali Shah Festival III, Lucknow – Ballet “Radha Kanhaiyaa ka Kissa”
2017, Wajid Ali Shah Festival IV, Lucknow - Ballet ‘Rang’
2017, Jahan e Khusrau XII, New Delhi
2018, Jahan e Khusrau XIII New Delhi
2018, Wajid Ali Shah Festival V, Lucknow - Ballet ‘Yamuna Dariya Prem Ka’
2019, Jahan e Khusrau XIV, New Delhi
2019, TEH I, Gurugram
2019, TEH II, Gurugram
2020, Wajid Ali Shah Festival V, Lucknow
2020, Jahan e Khusrau XV, New Delhi
Publications
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Hu, the Sufi way Volume I: Hazrat Amir Khusrau
Rumi Foundation India
Hu, the Sufi way Volume II: Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi
Rumi Foundation India
Hu, the Sufi way Volume III: The Rishis & Sufis of Kashmir
Rumi Foundation India
Hu, the Sufi way Volume IV: The Sufis of the Punjab
Rumi Foundation India
A LEAF TURNS YELLOW - Hu, the Sufi way Volume V: The Sufis of Awadh
Rumi Foundation India
Zikr: In The Light and Shade of Time [Autobiography]
Vintage Books & Penguin Random House India
Music Discography
Music emerged in many ways in the works of Muzaffar Ali. His traditional upbringing in the musical city of Wajid Ali Shah, Lucknow, working with legends like Jaidev, Khaiyyam, Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan and Ustaad Faiyaz Ahmad Khan in his feature films and TV serials, his own foray into music through albums like Husn-e-Jaana, Raqs-e-Bismil, Kaj Kulah and Ru-e-Ali, composing for Abida Parveen, Chhaya Ganguli and Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan, explains his devotion towards Sufi and classical music.
"Music is an ocean in which I have dived without knowing to swim. I have seen music from the perspective of poetry and cultural ethos. Music for me spans from the screenplay of a film to a state of ecstasy and surrender, and therefore pure in its essence, cleansed of the ego to enter the heart."
~ Muzaffar Ali