Aman ka magic in Ajmer The members of Fareed Ayaz Abu Mohammad Qawwal and Brothers from Pakistan have spent the past few days in great excitement.

It's not just that they're doing a concert for Indo-Pak unity, but also that they're performing at the famed Dargah Sharief in Ajmer.

This February 12 concert, organised by Aman Ki Asha, a joint initiative of the Times of India and the Jang Group of Pakistan, is particularly exciting to the two performers because of the venue. Says Abu Mohammad of Fareed Ayaz Abu Mohammad Qawwal and Brothers, "Bilkul kamaal ka venue hai! Dargah Sharief bahut hi ruhani jagah hai, aur main dua karunga ki hamara programme wahan kamyab ho, aur hum zyada kareeb aayein."

"Aman Ki Asha is a crucial undertaking, aur maine pichle ek saal mein hi isme bahut developments dekhi hain," says Abu. "When we performed with the Wadali Brothers in Ahmedabad, there were at least 20,000 people there, and they wouldn't let us go back. This is the message that we want to give. In every religion, from Meerabai and Bulle Shah to Kabir, the message is the same - aman. We are very close to each other. Artistes ko toh sarhad waise hi nahin hoti hai na!"

Has he seen music make a difference in people-to-people ties between the two countries? "Yes, yes!" says Abu emphatically. "In Ahmedabad, people said we don't know whether what you're singing is from India or Pakistan, we only know that it's from the subcontinent. Then we performed something that's a great favourite in Pakistan and abroad - Padharo Mhare Des - and the public wouldn't let us go! When we performed at Dilli Haat in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games, itna rush ho gaya ki logon ko apni dukaan sambhalna mushkil ho gaya. We say proudly ki humein Hindustan mein bahut mohabbat milti hai."

Courtesy: The Times of India

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

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