It is a rare director who becomes immortal on the strength of one film. One such person is K. Asif, whose 'Mughal-e-Azam' still tugs at the heartstrings after all these years. Another of his breed is Muzaffar Ali, whose 'Umrao Jaan' remains a classic. Although, he has left "noisy" Mumbai a long time back, Muzaffar says this film still "haunts" him every day. "I have not passed a single day of my life since the day it was released without someone congratulating me for it. It is like pouring nectar in my glass every day."

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Ali's latest avatar, however, is as director of an opera in French, 'Le Fakir de Benares', which will be staged in New Delhi shortly. 'Le Fakir' dates back to 1932 and it was only last year that someone close to French music composer Fredric Ligier got hold of the notes of this historical piece. The staging of 'Le Fakir' will be part of 'A Gathering for Peace', says Ali.

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Another element will be 'Jehan-e-Khusro', which will see Sufi artistes assembling in Delhi from all parts of the world in March: Tunisia, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the US. Says Muzaffar, "Amir Khusro is a bridge of love and understanding between India and the world. For Khusro, India was an irresistible beloved to whom he constantly referred in his verses. His poetry reflected the beauty of its people and nature, the anguish of the poor and weak. In the true tradition of the Sufis, Khusro experimented, with both form and content to reach the heart of people. He blended Persian with Braj and gave birth to Urdu. He combined the usuls and maqaams with the ragas of India and created new forms in melody and rhythm. Above all, he spoke the language of love and through it of divine ecstasy."

Muzaffar, who started out in life as a painter, later took to direction and inspired a whole host of directors with his production, 'Umrao Jaan'. Now his son Shaad Ali, one time assistant to the legendary Mani Rathnam, has turned full-fledged director. But why is Muzaffar choosing to stay away from cinema? "Nowadays there is no culture for good films. People are only focussed on money these days, and when money takes over art, there is little scope for people like me to remain active in films. I do what my heart tells me to do and right now I am devoting my time to music."

Muzaffar is also into social service and has started a program, 'Dwar pe Rozi', at his native place Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. "With this program, I am trying to make people earn their bread while remaining associated to their roots. Migration brings a lot of socio-political imbalance with it. I have witnessed it in my life very closely. war pe Rozi' is a program in this context."

Muzaffar has not lost hope of completing 'Zooni', his film based on Kashmir culture, may be with a new cast. But for the time being he is concentrating all his energies on his opera and the Khusro festival.