Pakistani Ali Sethi wishes Happy Holi, sings Sufi qawwali; social media reacts, Mashallah

Pakistani singer Ali Sethi, best known for Pasoori, posted a Holi message on his Instagram. He sang Amir Khusro’s Aaj rang hai ai maha-rang hai ri. He wrote, “Happy holi bhardo jholi.”

The song is a famous 13th-century Sufi qawwali that celebrates his spiritual union with Khusro’s guide, Nizamuddin Auliya. Traditionally sung at the end of Qawwali sessions, it symbolises divine ecstasy and enlightenment.

Widely performed by artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen, it has also featured in Indian films like Junoon and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Renowned filmmaker Mira Nair reacted to the post. The Golden Lion winner wrote, “Kitna yaad kiya / happy holi merey lal (Missed you very much. Happy Holi, my dear).”

Veteran Sarangi player Zohaib Hassan wrote, “Wah wah lajawab Mashallah Subhan Allah.”

“Thank you so much for all the songs you brought & bring us!! They are somewhere in the top of the most human-ly magical things, to say the least!” wrote one social media user.

Make-up artist Kishwar Chahal noted that Ali Sethi used a black-and-white video to wish for the festival of colours. “The only monotone colored tune that can bring in so much colour,” she wrote.

Bollywood singer Richa Sharma is among the people who liked the video, which has gained more than 1.30 lakh views on Instagram.

Ali Sethi, a Harvard graduate (2002–2006), holds dual citizenship in Pakistan and the United States. He lives in Manhattan. At Harvard, he studied under writers like Zadie Smith and Amitav Ghosh, exploring literature and poetry in Bengali, Sanskrit and Tamil.

Holi ban in Pakistan

In June 2023, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) banned Holi celebrations in universities, calling them contrary to Islamic and cultural values.

The decision followed viral videos of students celebrating Holi in Islamabad. The ban drew criticism from students and human rights lawyers. They warned it could marginalise religious minorities and promote intolerance.