Shankar Mahadevan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan lend voice to Gulzar’s lyrics for Aman ki Asha — an initiative by Times of India and Pakistan’s Jang
Reagan Gavin Rasquinha
Times News Network
An anthem, written by Gulzar and sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as part of Aman ki Asha - the cultural and emotional people-to-people peace initiative by The Times of India and Pakistan's Jang Group has been released. It's sung in Urdu, naturally, because language is one of the first big things common to both nations. Followed by an unequivocal love for music, films, the fine arts... all based on a common culture that was tragically cut down the middle on August 15, 1947. Now Aman Ki Asha seeks to build bridges between the people of the two nations 63 years after Partition (or is it Independence?) starting with the campaign's tune called Nazar Mein Rehete Ho Jab Tum Nazar Nahi Aate. It has taken on a life of its own and become a full-fledged song already, dispelling ignorance and fostering trust, based on the fervent belief that Indians and Pakistanis want peace and stability. BT dropped in on Gulzar and Shankar when they were recording the song for Aman Ki Asha at a Mumbai studio. Shankar, who put together the vocals and tune for Nazar Mein Rehte... said, "It has a heart-to-heart appeal, 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 Gulzarsaab's lyrics, I spontaneously sang it, and that was the melody."
Gulzar, who provided the words to the song, was full of praise for Shankar. "The spontainety that comes from him is unmatchable," he said. As for Rahat's contribution, Mahadevan added, "We're planning to use his voice from Pakistan. We've worked together in Bollywood and our chemistry is heart-to-heart. We apprecaite each other and love each other's music. It's a lovely relationship. We're going to send the music to him and he's going to overdub his parts." You may catch Nazar Mein Rehte... on Times Now and Radio Mirchi from today, the lyrics are contagious, especially the lines Nazar Mein Rehte Ho Jab Tum Nazar Nahi Aati, Yeh Sur Bulatey Hai Jab Tum Idhar Nahi Aati... Of the song, Gulzar said: "This subject is very close to my heart. I was born in Dina, Pakistan, so I have a soft corner for that country. There is not a day where I don't talk to someone about this, 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."
(Courtesy :Times of India)
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