Srinagar, May 1 -- AbulHasanYaminuddin, better known as Amir Khusrau (1252-1325) after being decorated with the title of Emir by one of his patrons, had the unique distinction of being a soldier, courtier, sufi, poet, litterateur, and music maestro. And he introduced the ghazal poetry form to India. Khusrau was probably a pioneer too in the art of the poem-riddle, called paheli. He was also a fine poet, with compositions both in the high Persian of the court and in the rough Hindi of the North Indian countryside.
Khusrau is also said to have invented qawwali and is also credited by some historians with inventing Sitar and the Tabla.Some say he invented the khayal and tarana styles of singing. As such he is said to have laid the foundations...