Babar N. Sheikh

Babar N. Sheikh is an award‑winning filmmaker, performance and multimedia artist, noise performer, and academic whose practice spans more than two decades across film, sound, and installation. His work delves into themes of urban memory, devotion, and the intangible heritage of South Asia, exploring the intersections of ritual, craft, and contemporary media. He is particularly known for his long‑term research and creative project Sufi Karachi, which investigates the symbols, narratives, and devotional practices embedded within the city’s spiritual landscape. His recent exhibition Patched Cloak (2026) showcased audio‑visual works developed through extensive fieldwork in Karachi’s dargahs, culminating in the launch of his first book, Sufi Karachi: Symbols, Rituals and Narratives. His multidisciplinary collaborations and sound‑based explorations, including projects such as Ritual Sounds of Karachi’s Lived Sufi Culture, further highlight his commitment to documenting and re‑imagining the city’s sacred sonic ecologies.