India, Nov. 2 -- The evocative strains of rabab set the tone for an evening steeped in poetry, music and spirituality, as Boston-based writer, playwright, podcaster and poet Sarbpreet Singh presented a selection of kafis (mystical poems) from his recently published collection, Khwabgah - The House of Dreams. Accompanied by Gurdeep Rababi on the rabab, Singh took the audience on a lyrical journey through the intertwined traditions of 'sufimat' and 'gurmat'. The event, which took place at CGA Driving Range and Academy on Saturday, began with noted musicologist and singer Sunaini Sharma introducing Singh and highlighting the many influences that have shaped his creative journey. She spoke about Singh's theatrical productions, including Kultar's Mime, presented in Chandigarh in 2014, and his profound engagement with 'gurmat sangeet'. Recounting his rather improbable journey into Punjabi poetry, Singh reflected on his deep immersion in the works of Sufi masters Shah Hussain, Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah, whose poetry has influenced him. A prolific English-language writer with several works of narrative history and fiction to his credit, Singh grew up far away from Punjab. "Having left India without even knowing how to read or write Gurmukhi, I had never imagined that I would one day write in my mother tongue, Punjabi," he said. "I fondly remember the time when late Punjabi poet Surjit Patar encouraged me to write in Punjabi during the Chandigarh launch of my novel The Sufi's Nightingale in 2023. Without his gentle encouragement, I might never have ventured into writing in Punjabi," Singh shared. The event was organised by S Karanveer Singh Sibia, author, eductor and preservationist, who is the founder of 'Rabab-e-Ruhaniyat', a project dedicated to reviving 'gurmat sangeet' using traditional stringed instruments. HTC...