Exclusive| “We Are Living In A Time When Everybody’s Mouth Is Tied Up": Sufi Singer Sameer Binsi

In an exclusive interview with Timeline, Sufi singer Sameer Binsi hailing from Kerala spoke about censorship and the growing restrictions on artistic expression.

Asked about the censorship of films, music and even poetry, Sameer Binsi said, “Now we are living in a time when everybody’s mouth is tied up by some people,” reflecting on the shrinking space for artists to express themselves freely.

The conversation, however, went far beyond censorship. Sameer Binsi took us deep into the world of Sufi music, mysticism and the philosophy behind the songs he chooses to sing.

He spoke about Artha Vicharam, his practice of contemplating the meaning of words before singing them and questioned whether people who listen to songs without understanding their lyrics are truly experiencing music or merely hearing it.

The conversation also explored the connection between romantic love and divine love, and how love, longing, pain and loss can become pathways to spiritual understanding.

He spoke about Islamic mysticism, the metaphorical language of Sufi poetry and the ideas of mystics and poets.

Sameer Binsi also reflected on the role of artists in society and whether spirituality can remain neutral in the face of injustice.

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The discussion touched upon the history of Sufi saints who challenged kings and religious orthodoxy, and whether artists today are becoming more courageous or more cautious in speaking about society and politics.

The place of women in Sufi music was another important part of the conversation, including a discussion on legendary Sufi singer Abida Parveen and the contribution of women to a musical tradition deeply rooted in mysticism and poetry.

He also spoke about his musical association with his co-performer Imam Majboor, along with the song he wrote for the Malayalam film Malik.

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His journey across Malayalam, Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Tamil and Hindi opened up another conversation about language, silence and spirituality, and how different languages can carry the same mystical experience in different ways.

Sameer Binsi also performed some soulful Sufi songs during the interview and spoke about the changing landscape of contemporary music.

He shared his thoughts on the growing influence of modern sounds and genres, including Sufi rap, and discussed how the essence of Sufi music and its spiritual ideas can be carried into new forms of musical expression.