<p>Terming cancellation of ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai as “unfortunate”, Pakistani classical singer Javed Bashir feels music is being unnecessarily dragged into political discourse and this unwanted aggression has repercussions on the livelihood of artistes from both sides of the border.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“When a singer is practising, all he is thinking about is improvisation so that people like his performance. His livelihood is dependent on it and this craft takes him to different countries. And if politics is coming in the way of his livelihood than that is completely wrong,” Bashir tells Metrolife.<br /><br />“Today, I am sitting in India is because of the immense love I have received from people here. You come to Pakistan and see how people are crazy about Lataji and Ashaji and only then you will understand how today’s politics is based on false perceptions,” he adds.<br /><br />Bashir will be performing at a concert “Music for Peace” in the capital on October 17 which is organised by Routes2Roots, an NGO promoting cross-border art and culture exchanges. <br /><br />The 42-year-old took classical vocal training from his uncle Ustaad Mubarik Ali Khan and catapulted to fame with his soulful voice in Coke Studio Pakistan. The big Bollywood break came when Vishal Dadlani of Vishal-Shekhar duo contacted him to sing for Kahaani. It was followed by Cocktail, Bombay Talkies and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and now his kitty is full of opportunities.<br /><br />“This shows that I have fans here, so where is the animosity?” he asks. “Music spreads peace and has nothing to do with politics. These two things should be separate because music has no religion or boundaries.”<br /><br />“Singing is a profession and we are here promoting love through music. You are cancelling concerts, but when people have digital space where they can watch anything on YouTube, how do you think they (politicians) are going to stop people from watching artistes’ performances?”<br /><br />According to Bashir, India is his second home because his mamaji (mother’s brother) still lives in Jalandhar. “For my parents, India is their first home because they were born here. There is nothing much difference if one looks at what people want,” he says.<br /><br />“If the government thinks they can stop terrorism by stopping musical performances, then they should go ahead with that. But can they really stop terrorism by doing such things? I just want to understand where is the artiste at fault? We are just doing our work to support our families,” he elucidates.<br /><br />Artistes will always be united, believes Bashir, adding it is unfair to put restrictions on cross border cultural exchanges when it is the only ray of hope amid vested political interests.<br /></p>
<p>Terming cancellation of ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai as “unfortunate”, Pakistani classical singer Javed Bashir feels music is being unnecessarily dragged into political discourse and this unwanted aggression has repercussions on the livelihood of artistes from both sides of the border.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“When a singer is practising, all he is thinking about is improvisation so that people like his performance. His livelihood is dependent on it and this craft takes him to different countries. And if politics is coming in the way of his livelihood than that is completely wrong,” Bashir tells Metrolife.<br /><br />“Today, I am sitting in India is because of the immense love I have received from people here. You come to Pakistan and see how people are crazy about Lataji and Ashaji and only then you will understand how today’s politics is based on false perceptions,” he adds.<br /><br />Bashir will be performing at a concert “Music for Peace” in the capital on October 17 which is organised by Routes2Roots, an NGO promoting cross-border art and culture exchanges. <br /><br />The 42-year-old took classical vocal training from his uncle Ustaad Mubarik Ali Khan and catapulted to fame with his soulful voice in Coke Studio Pakistan. The big Bollywood break came when Vishal Dadlani of Vishal-Shekhar duo contacted him to sing for Kahaani. It was followed by Cocktail, Bombay Talkies and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and now his kitty is full of opportunities.<br /><br />“This shows that I have fans here, so where is the animosity?” he asks. “Music spreads peace and has nothing to do with politics. These two things should be separate because music has no religion or boundaries.”<br /><br />“Singing is a profession and we are here promoting love through music. You are cancelling concerts, but when people have digital space where they can watch anything on YouTube, how do you think they (politicians) are going to stop people from watching artistes’ performances?”<br /><br />According to Bashir, India is his second home because his mamaji (mother’s brother) still lives in Jalandhar. “For my parents, India is their first home because they were born here. There is nothing much difference if one looks at what people want,” he says.<br /><br />“If the government thinks they can stop terrorism by stopping musical performances, then they should go ahead with that. But can they really stop terrorism by doing such things? I just want to understand where is the artiste at fault? We are just doing our work to support our families,” he elucidates.<br /><br />Artistes will always be united, believes Bashir, adding it is unfair to put restrictions on cross border cultural exchanges when it is the only ray of hope amid vested political interests.<br /></p>
