Presented by Small World Music and The Tawoos Initiative
In partnership with Small World Music and The City of Toronto Music Office
Written & Directed by Nishar Mansuri

Ishq Ke Saat Muqaam (The Seven Stages of Love)

Love is a journey—one that moves through longing, devotion, ecstasy, and surrender, leading the soul from the earthly to the divine. “Ishq Ke Saat Muqaam”, written and directed by Nishar Mansuri, brings this timeless odyssey to life through poetry, music, and storytelling.

Inspired by the verses of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, Baba Bulleh Shah, Hazrat Amir Khusrau, Kabir Das, Fariduddin Attar, Hafez Shirazi, Sultan Bahu, and more, the performance intertwines classical poetry with beautiful compositions and dramatic monologues, tracing the seven stages of love.

Honoring the musical legacy of Abida Parveen Ji, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and other legendary Sufi voices, the production reinterprets their compositions in a deeply moving and contemporary soundscape.

Featuring storytelling by Owais Shaikh and a distinguished music ensemble of Dhaivat Jani, Gandhaar Amin, Sahil K and Nathan Khan, the performance blends traditional and modern Sufi influences, creating an immersive and soul-stirring experience.

Originally produced at Abhivyakti City Art Project – Ahmedabad (2023) by Munaf Luhar and written by Nishar Mansuri, “Ishq Ke Saat Muqaam” has now been reimagined for the South Asian diaspora in Canada, bridging cultures while preserving its spiritual essence.

More than a performance, it is an invitation—an evening of reflection and transcendence, where poetry and music come together in a celebration of love’s most profound journey. Whether deeply familiar with these traditions or discovering them for the first time, audiences will be transported by the beauty and wisdom of Sufi thought.

Join us for this unforgettable night of poetry, music, and storytelling.

Doors open at 7 PM 

The 2025 Small World Music Series is sponsored by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and funded by the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.