Mazaar. Single from Iranian trio Niyaz, featuring A R Rahman.
: The primary melody is carried by Azam Ali ’s ethereal, eastern-style singing, while A.R. Rahman provides high-pitched Sufi chants and backing vocals. Notably, this is one of the rare instances where Rahman recorded a track composed by another artist rather than himself. Niyaz - Mazaar (featuring AR Rahman)
"Mazaar" is inspired by the iconic Afghan folk song a tribute to the sacred city of Mazar-i-Sharif . Historically, this melody is a celebration of the spring festival (Gul-e-Surkh) and the blooming of red tulips around the Blue Mosque. By reinterpreting this piece, Niyaz honors the resilience and beauty of Afghan culture, particularly within the context of the album Sumud (meaning "steadfastness" in Arabic), which explores themes of resistance and hope. Musical Composition and Collaboration Mazaar
The lyrics, which follow the structure of traditional Afghan Dari and occasionally Urdu rubaiyat (quatrains), evoke a sense of spiritual yearning. The title itself, Mazaar , refers to a shrine or place of pilgrimage, symbolizing a search for the "Beloved" or a higher divine truth. The collaboration between Niyaz and Rahman emphasizes this spiritual connection, as both artists are deeply rooted in Sufi mysticism and the use of music as a bridge between the past and present. Rahman provides high-pitched Sufi chants and backing vocals
: A bowed guitar played by Loga Ramin Torkian, which mimics the sound of traditional Persian strings.