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Aristotle, the Father of Political Science said, “Man is a social animal.” This truism holds much ground today. Human beings are separated from each other in terms of their different perspectives, behavioral patterns and thought processes. However, a few basic similarities can be discerned among the irregularities. Irrespective of age, sex, religion or nationality, all people desire a few things, above all other things. Peace, security, love and happiness are the innate wants of humanity. There is none who wishes for a life of agony. Yet, our lives today are pervaded with tumult and hate. The nuclear development of the modern, scientific world comes at a very heavy price – the immeasurable price of peace.

Sixty three years hence, Young India is a developing country. She has created a niche for herself in the global arena and has amiable relations with some of the most powerful nations of the world. India’s relationship with immediate neighbour, Pakistan, unfortunately doesn’t enjoy the same security and mutual trust. There are enough reasons to justify India’s present stand of hostility with Pakistan, but none whatsoever to let bygones be forgotten and start again on a new note.

With a singular hope for peace flickering in the entire grey horizon, The Times of India and The Jang Group of Newspapers of Pakistan have come together in organizing the ‘Aman Ki Asha : Destination Peace’. After two whole years of toil, the leading media houses of the two countries joined hands on January 1, 2010 for this unique Indo-Pak Peace Project. The idea behind this project is simple. It is time we look behind the narrow boundaries that have poisoned our relationship for decades. It is time peace is given a chance.

Introducing this concept as an eye-opener, The Times of India had a detailed report on the need for peace among the two nations. 2010 had to be started on a new note: of mending the relationship with Pakistan. The media has often been criticized for politicizing issues. This project shows how the media has taken the initiative to improve relations between the two nations, through a people-to-people initiative, where the citizens get the chance to interact with their neighbours. A friendly relation among the two countries is as much in India’s interest, as it is for Pakistan. A peaceful neighbourhood ensures stability and therefore gives greater scope for development. India and Pakistan share numerous ties – historical, cultural and emotional. It is for the sake of these ties and for the people, who above all, love one another, that Peace should be given a chance.

Peace is what the common citizens of India and Pakistan desire. An article in The Times of India said, “About two-thirds of those polled in India and almost three-fourths of those in Pakistan said they desire a peaceful relationship between the two countries. Only a tiny majority, 17% in India and 8% in Pakistan, are opposed to the idea of consigning hostility to the dustbin of history.”

Singer Parvathy Baul. Credits : Pens Eve

‘Aman Ki Asha’ is an initiative of The Times of India and the Jang Group of Pakistan, to develop stronger cultural, economic and diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. Music is the universal platform of communication. It knows no boundaries. Musical concerts have been organized across six cities of India – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. Eminent artists from both countries participated in these concerts, to spread the message of peace. They are Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Kailash Kher, Abida Parveen, Shubha Mudgal, the bands Strings and Euphoria, Arif Lohar, Parvathy Baul, Ghulam Ali, Hari Haran, the Wadali Brothers and Abu Mohd & Group. One remembers the song ‘Rind posh maal’ from the Bollywood movie, Mission Kashmir which also recognizes the role of music in uniting people from different nationalities. “Sangeet ko na roke diwaar, sangeet jaaye sarhad ke paar. Sangeet maane na dharm-jaat, sangeet mein hai Allah O Ram.” It means mere walls cannot hinder music and it goes beyond all boundaries. Music believes not in race or religion. Music is the unison of both Allah and Ram.

As part of the peace initiative an annual trade meet will be activated in Karachi to foster economic cooperation, and student exchange trips will be launched to fuel the citizens’ interaction.

Pakistan’s popular folk singer Arif Lohar and India’s baul singer, Parvathy Baul, sang at the Aman Ki Asha Concert at Chowmahallat Palace in Hyderabad on January 22, 2010.

The sprawling Chowmahalla Palace was splendid in all its grandeur. The residence of the erstwhile Nizams, the Palace was at its best. The palace is also known as ‘Khilwat’ in the native Hyderabadi tongue. The concert took place in the lawns and as the ‘Khilwat Clock’ chimed 6:30 p.m., the seats were occupied.

The denizens of Hyderabad were in for an evening of complete entertainment. The cool blowing wind set the mood for an evening for the noble cause of peace. Kingshuk Nal, Editor, The Times of India, said “The people of India and Pakistan are very friendly and effusive about one another. The Aman Ki Asha programme was started with this basic idea – that the people want peace. Despite the roadblocks that deter this process, we will have amity in our neighbourhood.”

The programme started and amidst much applause, Indian baul singer, Parvathy Baul occupied the stage. The epitome of simplicity, clad in a saffron gown, Parvathy Baul had a mesmerizing effect on the audience. Her soulful rendition of baul music in Bengali touched the hearts of all. She plays the ‘ektara’ (drone) and the percussion instrument ‘duggi’, sings and dances. Earlier named as Moushumi Parial, she has been a devoted practitioner of baul music for more than 12 years.

“Her music is beautiful. A blend of devotional Bengali and sufi music, she reminds one of Meera Bai,” says Uttam Kumar. She has performed all over India and at many international events. The Hindustan Times survey in 2007 showed her to have topped the charts in Indian folk music.

“Even though she sang in Bengali, which is a language many of us in Hyderabad don’t understand, she had a rapt attention of the audience,” says Shreya, a young music enthusiast. “Each of the songs had a great philosophical message about it. And she would translate it to us in English after the Bengali rendition,” she adds.

Pakistan's 'Pride of Performance', Arif Lohar. Credits : Pens Eve

“Human beings,” says Parvathy Baul, “are engulfed in the world of ‘maya’. The ones who are free of maya are free from worldly matters. They are the “flying kites” in the sky..” She has had two CD recordings. ‘Radha Bhava’ released by www.arion-music.com (Paris) and ‘Premgeethi : Beyond the times – love songs from Bengal’. They have received great national and international acclaim.

After an hour, which seemed like a few minutes, Arif Lohar, hailed as the ‘Pride of Performance’ by the Government of Pakistan, took center stage, along with his musicians. A popular sufi singer, he said, “Sufi woh baat karta hai, jo poori duniya ke liye hai.” (Sufi music conveys the message which is in favour of the whole world). He sings with his trademark instrument, the “chimta” which closely resembles the tongs. This is his first visit to Hyderabad. Lohar has acted in as many as 45 Pakistani films and is willing to accept if invited by the Hindi Film Industry.

Interacting with the audience in Punjabi and also cracking ‘chutkule’, Lohar was a complete entertainer. He sang a few songs of which ‘Soniye ni Soniye’ and ‘Jugni’ were the favourites. “I couldn’t enjoy much of Parvathy Baul’s music because of the language barrier, but Arif Lohar was remarkable. His voice is pure,” says Alka. Echoing her friend’s sentiments, another youngster, Ami, says, “Arif Lohar was full of life and gaiety!”

Lohar was joined by his co-singer, Fouzia in the rendition of ‘Duma Dum Mast Kalandar’. The most popular song of the evening, this song had the audience on their toes. Some were singing along, while others were applauding their loudest.

Music is communion on various levels – on an interpersonal level, with the listeners and with God on an intrapersonal level. The singer can move his audience to tears by striking the right chords. The musical flights of imagination can transport the listener to a different world altogether. And this is what the two artists magically achieved in the ‘Jugalbandi’. The highlight of the show, the Jugalbandi was gripping and moving. Arif Lohar and Parvathy Baul shared the stage and complimented one another. It was a real treat to watch and hear them perform.

The Jugalbandi. Credits : Pens Eve

The message was conveyed and well-received. Peace is what we all want and Peace we shall have. “I loved this programme. Hindustan-Pakistan Zindabad!” exclaims Mrs. Rama Narendar Singh. “Hume shanti chahiye!” she adds. (We want peace!)

‘Aman Ki Asha’ was launched with the aim “to develop a stronger Track II in our diplomatic and cultural relations.” The musical concerts across various cities were a huge success and only proved what the media houses believed –that the people were friendly about one another and had no negative feelings to their counterparts across the border. Irrespective of our leaders’ views, the commoners of India and Pakistan have strong emotional ties with one another.

‘Aman Ki Asha : Destination Peace’ is a step in the right direction. Regardless of what has happened in the past, one cannot ignore the fact that India and Pakistan are closely knit. It encourages the youth to have their minds open and not be influenced by narrow nationalism. The destination of Peace might be far, but the persevering young generation can achieve the impossible. This initiative helps fuel the spirit of the youth, who should as the responsible leaders of tomorrow, act in their right mind.

“The territorial borders do not separate us. The differences have been fed to us by decades of political brainwashing. And these differences are being extended into faultless fields like sports. But it is clear that the people want friendship. And it is the popular will which succeeds in the end,” observes Uttam Kumar.

Amen.

(For more information on the ‘Aman Ki Asha’ initiative, log on to http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/amankiasha.cms )