Chandigarh, June 20
There is definitely something more to the Indo-Pakistan relationships than the bitterness which flows from the ever-simmering Kashmir issue. Why else would a delegation of about three dozen eminent Pakistani film personalities and singers care to cross the Wagah border to be part of a goodwill mission, and also to join hands with their Indian counterparts in paying melodious tributes to great singer Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan.
About 13 members of the delegation which has visas for three Indian cities — Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh — arrived in the city beautiful last night to participate in the first series of the musical fete meant to recreate the musical grandeur of Noor Jehan whose memory continues to be cherished equally by both Indians and Pakistanis.
Among the visiting personalities are stalwarts of the order of ghazal maestro Pervaiz Mehndi, poet-lyricist Khwaja Pervez, eminent folk singer Surraiya Khanam, singer Hamaira Chana, pop star Jawad Ahmad, journalist Tihar Mir, actress Laila, film producers Ghulam Mohammad and Kharnusna Misa Chana.
The group, drawn from diverse walks of life, truly represents the longings of an average Pakistani. All visiting members shared similar views about the dormant feeling of love across the border. While the visit was not planned with the Indo-Pak summit in mind, it is quite coincidental that it has happened in the wake of the talks, thus lending it a political colour. Despite the fact that many promises have been breached in the past, the visiting artistes have kept their hopes from the talks alive. No delegate, however, feels that the nature of talks would be any different on account that Gen Musharraf is now also the President of Pakistan.
Be it ghazal maestro Pervaiz Mehndi, legendary lyricist Khwaja Pervez or folk singer Surraiya Khanam, the aspirations voiced by each delegate were the same today. All of them are strong votaries of peace and all of them want the peace process restored. Khwaja Pervez, the man behind 5,000 songs of Noor Jehan and many songs rendered by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, like Mein yaar yaar kaina, Ishq da rutba ishq hi jaane, Akhiyaan udikdiyaan) was very positive about the forthcoming summit. He added, “We and our friends in Pakistan are praying for the success of talks. Meanwhile, we are here to share our memories for Noor Jehan who belonged as much to India as she did to Pakistan.”
Interestingly, most of the first-time visitors to India like singers Jawad Ahmad, Hamaira Chana and Laila found striking similarities between the people and places in India and Pakistan. Hamaira went to the extent of commenting: “While walking through roads in Chandigarh, I nearly felt at home. Often I had a feeling I was walking through the shopping areas of Karachi. I don’t find anything different here. Our roots have given us this resemblance.”
Speaking in the same vein, pop singer Jawad, who also directs music for films and private albums, said, “The Indians look so much like Pakistanis that I had a hard time differentiating between the two. It’s a pleasant feeling to be here. I feel absolutely at home.”
Most delegates in the visiting delegation which is in India on an invitation from president and general secretary of Aalmi Punjabi Parivaar, Mr Harnek Singh Gharuan and Prof Gursharan Singh, have had some kind of affiliation with the legendary Noor Jehan at some point of time. Hamaira Chana, eminent playback, ghazal and Punjabi singer in Pakistan now, has sung many duets with Noor Jehan. Similarly, Surraiya Khanam was also very closely associated with the singer.
Khwaja Pervez wrote about 5,000 songs which were later rendered by Noor Jehan. Said Surraiya: “Noor Jehan’s memory still lingers on in both India and Pakistan. We may have lost her in flesh but we will always cherish her in our thoughts. She will always remind us of Indo-Pak unity.”
Similar views were expressed by Hamaira and her father Ghulam Mohammad, who said, “We have got together for a sacred purpose and a sacred mission. While celebrations of Noor Jehan’s magnificence as a singer will help the two countries come together, the talks to be held on July 14 will also bear good results, hopefully. No one in Pakistan wants an atmosphere of hatred. We all want peace.”
Pervez Bhandara, vice-president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation and leader of the delegation, also spoke to Chandigarh Tribune about his mission. “The most sacred mission is that of reliving the melodies of Noor Jehan and paying tribute to her through our cultural performance. The other mission, of course, is to promote peace through our presence. We are messengers of peace and we voice the feelings of an average Pakistani”.
Tahir Mir, a journalist with Jung (an Urdu daily), voiced similar concerns: “We are all for peace and tranquility. The talks have given birth to fresh hopes. We hope in his new role as the President of Pakistan, Gen Musharraf fares well enough.”
The delegates will also visit Mumbai where they look forward to meeting Raj Babbar, Gurdas Mann, Naushad and others. Khwaja Pervez is also writing songs for the latest films being produced by Raj Babbar and Gurdas Mann. He has already written songs for the two in Shaheed Udham Singh and Shaheed-e-Mohabbat, respectively.
There is definitely something more to the Indo-Pakistan relationships than the bitterness which flows from the ever-simmering Kashmir issue. Why else would a delegation of about three dozen eminent Pakistani film personalities and singers care to cross the Wagah border to be part of a goodwill mission, and also to join hands with their Indian counterparts in paying melodious tributes to great singer Malika-e-Tarannum Noor Jehan.
 Delegates from Pakistan Ghulam Mohd, Hamaira Chana and Khanrusna Misa Chana Share their concerns about Indo-Pak relations at a hotel in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph | <><>
Among the visiting personalities are stalwarts of the order of ghazal maestro Pervaiz Mehndi, poet-lyricist Khwaja Pervez, eminent folk singer Surraiya Khanam, singer Hamaira Chana, pop star Jawad Ahmad, journalist Tihar Mir, actress Laila, film producers Ghulam Mohammad and Kharnusna Misa Chana.
The group, drawn from diverse walks of life, truly represents the longings of an average Pakistani. All visiting members shared similar views about the dormant feeling of love across the border. While the visit was not planned with the Indo-Pak summit in mind, it is quite coincidental that it has happened in the wake of the talks, thus lending it a political colour. Despite the fact that many promises have been breached in the past, the visiting artistes have kept their hopes from the talks alive. No delegate, however, feels that the nature of talks would be any different on account that Gen Musharraf is now also the President of Pakistan.
Be it ghazal maestro Pervaiz Mehndi, legendary lyricist Khwaja Pervez or folk singer Surraiya Khanam, the aspirations voiced by each delegate were the same today. All of them are strong votaries of peace and all of them want the peace process restored. Khwaja Pervez, the man behind 5,000 songs of Noor Jehan and many songs rendered by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, like Mein yaar yaar kaina, Ishq da rutba ishq hi jaane, Akhiyaan udikdiyaan) was very positive about the forthcoming summit. He added, “We and our friends in Pakistan are praying for the success of talks. Meanwhile, we are here to share our memories for Noor Jehan who belonged as much to India as she did to Pakistan.”
Interestingly, most of the first-time visitors to India like singers Jawad Ahmad, Hamaira Chana and Laila found striking similarities between the people and places in India and Pakistan. Hamaira went to the extent of commenting: “While walking through roads in Chandigarh, I nearly felt at home. Often I had a feeling I was walking through the shopping areas of Karachi. I don’t find anything different here. Our roots have given us this resemblance.”
Speaking in the same vein, pop singer Jawad, who also directs music for films and private albums, said, “The Indians look so much like Pakistanis that I had a hard time differentiating between the two. It’s a pleasant feeling to be here. I feel absolutely at home.”
Most delegates in the visiting delegation which is in India on an invitation from president and general secretary of Aalmi Punjabi Parivaar, Mr Harnek Singh Gharuan and Prof Gursharan Singh, have had some kind of affiliation with the legendary Noor Jehan at some point of time. Hamaira Chana, eminent playback, ghazal and Punjabi singer in Pakistan now, has sung many duets with Noor Jehan. Similarly, Surraiya Khanam was also very closely associated with the singer.
Khwaja Pervez wrote about 5,000 songs which were later rendered by Noor Jehan. Said Surraiya: “Noor Jehan’s memory still lingers on in both India and Pakistan. We may have lost her in flesh but we will always cherish her in our thoughts. She will always remind us of Indo-Pak unity.”
Similar views were expressed by Hamaira and her father Ghulam Mohammad, who said, “We have got together for a sacred purpose and a sacred mission. While celebrations of Noor Jehan’s magnificence as a singer will help the two countries come together, the talks to be held on July 14 will also bear good results, hopefully. No one in Pakistan wants an atmosphere of hatred. We all want peace.”
Pervez Bhandara, vice-president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation and leader of the delegation, also spoke to Chandigarh Tribune about his mission. “The most sacred mission is that of reliving the melodies of Noor Jehan and paying tribute to her through our cultural performance. The other mission, of course, is to promote peace through our presence. We are messengers of peace and we voice the feelings of an average Pakistani”.
Tahir Mir, a journalist with Jung (an Urdu daily), voiced similar concerns: “We are all for peace and tranquility. The talks have given birth to fresh hopes. We hope in his new role as the President of Pakistan, Gen Musharraf fares well enough.”
The delegates will also visit Mumbai where they look forward to meeting Raj Babbar, Gurdas Mann, Naushad and others. Khwaja Pervez is also writing songs for the latest films being produced by Raj Babbar and Gurdas Mann. He has already written songs for the two in Shaheed Udham Singh and Shaheed-e-Mohabbat, respectively.
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