Sohail Malik’s narration of the history of the Ottomans spanning nearly seven centuries — from late 13th century to early 20th century — brought to life the era of Turkish rule at an evening titled Journey Through the Ottoman Empire — a fundraiser arranged by Old Associates of Kinnaird Society for the National Institute of Child Health.

Malik traced the ascendancy of the Ottomans, from Osman Bey in Anatolia to the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II in 1453, when the state became an empire controlling much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, thus becoming the centre of interaction between the East and the West for six centuries.

It is said that the origin of the whirling dervishes was founded by the Maulana when, while passing by a gold market one day, heard the sounds of the artisans hammering on gold which sounded like ‘Allah Hu’ to him and he started pirouetting in a state of sheer ecstasy.

Turkish songs and whirling dervishes presented the Sufi mysticism or ‘wajd’ of Jalaluddin Rumi, known for his Persian poetry. The narration of Rumi’s poem with Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice in the background mesmerised the audience as the dancer matched the lyrics with graceful foot movement. The whirling dervishes then came on stage: the hand in the air denoting divine thoughts while the other lower hand signifying the trampling of worldly thoughts.

The last sonnet of Divan-i-Shams Tabrezi summed up Rumi’s lifetime work ‘Go place your head upon your pillow’. Singer Amir Agha sang Rumi’s poetry beautifully, including ‘Manotum (You and I) and a song from the Ottoman period, Buhu iski bur Turket (also famous in the West for its tune).

Stand-up comedian Beo Zafar’s jokes and impersonation followed with a brief fashion segment by designer Farnas Mustufa and polki jewellery by Nazneen Tariq, brought the evening to a close.