The mevlevi are sufis who follow the teaching of Mevlana (Rumi) who was a mystical poet and philosopher of the 13th century. Some of the important attitudes which they live by are :-
1. To be tolerant of the imperfections and mistakes of others.
2. To accept whatever life offers as gifts from the creator.
3. To show love towards all others.
4. To leave attitudes of judgment out of relations with others.
5. Above all to focus on union with the divine rather than worldly matters.
The unique aspect of the Mevlevis is the music
which they play for the whirling ceremony. This music is the
nearest thing to the mystical music of the spheres, so much theorised
about by others. It carries with it the essence of the five attitudes
above. The music embodies the teachings of all the mystics and
great teachers with the use of the universal language of melody.
The melodies of mevlevi music are among the most inspired and
uplifting ever to have been composed. Yet its full value does
not show itself immediately, unlike music for pleasure which
usually renders its appeal in the first hearing.
This music can now be correctly learned by anyone who has the time and the wish to do so. After nearly 25 years of study and practise of it members of the Saraswati Society have studied and revived more than twenty four of the best Mevlevi Ayins. Each Ayin has been closely studied and played over a period of two to three years. In many cases three or four different sources of notation have been compared along with recordings. Teaching has been given to the Saraswati group by a number of the Turkish masters of the music, many of whom have had connection with the tradition of the Yenikapi Tekke (dervish lodge) in Istanbul.
It was at the Yenikapi Tekke in Istanbul that many great Mevlevi composers were taught. The wishes of the last Sheikh of that Tekke were that the music should be learned correctly and made available to those who need it. His words were that the correct live music played at the Sema (whirling ceremony) would be good for the hearts of the dervishes. In the spirit of that pious wish, teaching is offered without any cost other than the effort required to learn.
ORIGINS OF THE MUSIC The origin is the same as that of the Ottoman makam system. It is ancient and connected to Pythagoras' experiments into the value which music gives to human life.
THE VALUE OF MEVLEVI MUSIC Mevlevi music provides a link with pure human attitudes which exist naturally within the human psyche and assist realisation of the true Self. It is this which makes the music particularly special to Mevlevis. It is holy scripture in musical form, composed by accomplished souls.
HOW SUFI MUSIC IS PLAYED It is not music for pleasure but for cleaning the mirror of the heart. By divine and artful weaving of normal and mystical intervals it assists the appreciation of the inner experience. Cymbals, the ney (flute) and drums are the traditional instruments. The Sema is made alive with the correct music. This music wakes the sleeping soul to God and tunes the inner being toward higher things.
DEVIATIONS FROM THE TRUE MUSIC The use of too many and inappropriate instruments, along with Westernised alterations to the musical modes (makams), make the music unrecognisable to a true Mevlevi. Thus corrupted it becomes ineffective. The use of western notation and playing Mevlevi music like a European concert also degrades it. It's appeal is not immediate but grows deeper and deeper with time. Read this about sufi music.If you would like more information please contact the Saraswati Society.
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