Aman Ki Asha wins Best Non Film Music album GIMA It's been a while since the fact, but we must say that our hearts swelled with pride as the first Global Indian Music Award (aired over the weekend) for a Non Film Album went to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shankar Mahadevan for Aman Ki Asha, featuring the song that had touched so many hearts with its poignant lyrics and touching video, 'Nazar Mein Rehte Ho'.

Back when the song had been in production, with its lyrics penned by Gulzar and the composition by Shankar Mahadevan, the team already had a warm, fuzzy feeling about the whole project.

"It has a heart-to-heart appeal," Shankar had said, "sounds warm and personal, and through its simple message of brotherhood between both sides of the border represents something that everybody would love to see happen. It took me just a minute to get the melody. Certain lyrics in this song are so powerful that they just reach at you and dictate a melody. While reading Gulzar saab's lyrics, I spontaneously sang it, and that was the melody." "This subject is very close to my heart. I was born in Dina, Pakistan, so I have a soft corner for that country," Gulzar had said, explaining why the project had been so special to him.

"Being an Urdu writer, that's my playground and I have got a lot of recognition there. This friendship is inborn; so there is no 'effort' involved in being friends with them. At the same time, what's all this about 'differences' between Indians and Pakistanis? Are there no differences between Indians? You must meet one-to-one respectfully, give and receive respect."


Thursday, December 09, 2010

A dream road trip come true

Emotional family reunions, heartwarming interactions with ordinary people
- a Pakistani and his elderly mother on the journey of a lifetime

Part II .....more