Faraway from Konya, over the years in the fading sunset, the life almost used to come to a standstill at the hillock of Hari Parbat, or Kohi Maran, that houses the shrine of local saint Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom.
Playing his fingers on santoor, a hundred-stringed instrument, maestro Ustad Mohammad Yaqoob Sheikh, would give a new life to Rumi's poetry.
"We used to perform this music only when light fades and dusk approaches. We draw lyrics from Rumi, Jami and Hafiz," he said.
To add to the misery of local population, main mosques and shrines in the region have either remain shut or have limited access since August due to clampdowns. The phenomena is only deepening depression and psychological disorders.
"Sufi music has also suffered due to the tense political climate in Kashmir. Now over the years, many people suffering from mental disturbances were prescribed to listen to Sufi music to explore spiritual roots for the sake of peace of mind," said the musician.
He believes that power of Rumi's poetry was used like a therapy to create an island of peace around the listener.
Even though, it is an illusory world, but helps people to reach a higher state of consciousness, where they regain control of life.
Talking to Anadolu Agency from the Indian capital New Delhi, former Vice-Chief of Indian Air Force Kapil Kak, also a Kashmiri Pandit (Hindu), said that Kashmiri culture over the centuries had taken inspiration from Rumi, who spoke of loving human beings and not just tolerating them.
