21 October 2007, Sunday

 

Turkish Cultural Centre, Turkish Embassy in Singapore and The Esplanade organized The Waves of Love, The World of Whirling Dervishes. The performance was held at The Esplanade and more than 1600 people were captured with the fascinating performance by Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Ensemble as part of the world’s celebration of the 800th anniversary of Rumi’s birth, an event supported by UNESCO.

 

 

From music of the soul, a performance of grace and serenity, transcendence into harmony and enlightenment…

The ancient sacred ritual of the sema performance of the Mevlevi order of Sufism is regarded as one of the most beautiful and mesmerising expressions of spirituality and art. With origins in Turkey and inspired by the great 13th century mystic, poet and philosopher, Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, the ritual seeks divinity and maturity, carrying his message of love, brotherhood and tolerance. 

 

 

The sema ceremony represents a spiritual journey that unifies the human mind, emotion, body and spirit. Four salutes take place that represent a conscious turning towards truth and the divine, a growth through love, a union with God and a return to life as a servant of all creation, without discrimination. With feet firmly on the ground, left hand turned towards the earth and right hand outstretched to God in prayer, the semazen is the point of contact between God and the earth, the channel through which divine blessings flow. Revolving from right to left as he silently prays, the semazen embraces all creation.