Bengaluru puts Pak gigs on pause

The boiling political scenario between India and Pakistan is spreading its heat at the cultural ties between the two nations. The tension triggered between Pakistan and India by the September 18 attack on the Uri military base, and following it, earlier this week, the popular trade fair — “Aalishan Pakistan” scheduled to be held in India was cancelled. Organisers of another huge crowd-pulling Indo-Pak exhibitions, Riwaaz have also decided to pull the curtains down citing, “national interests are above the commercial interests”. Among other prominent events, singer Shafqat Amanat Ali whose concert was supposed to be held in Bengaluru and Hyderabad has also been reportedly cancelled.

The capital, which is otherwise, seen flooded with visiting Pakistaini artists playing special gigs at restaurants and pubs around the city, is laying low. Priyank Sukhija, restaurateur informs that they are going easy on inviting artists from across the border for the time being. “We have been instrumental in bringing a lot of Pakistani artists to our outlets. We, as a company, still have no hard feeling towards them. However, its better to be safe than sorry. Personally, I feel that music and art should be left out from such political crisis.” Another restaurant-owner, Akshay Anand of Townhouse Cafe agrees and adds, “We love hosting artists from across the border, and have time and again sent them special invites to perform at our outlets. But keeping the current atmosphere in mind, we are avoiding these invitations. As soon as the air gets cleared, I am positive that we will be seeing musical exchanges like before.”

Routes 2 Roots, a non-profit organisation that brings many Pakistani artists to India for performances recently cancelled a student exchange programme. Rakesh Gupta, founder of Routes 2 Roots says, “Around 60 students from Pakistan were to visit India on September 25 but we cancelled (even though their visas and other important documentations were clear) the exchange programme three-days before the schedule keeping in mind the current sentiment.”

Stating further, he adds, “The whole purpose of the programme is to bring peace between the two nations and we did not want children to face any negativity during their visit. Hence, we thought it would be ideal to cancel all engagements for the time being.” The organisation has also put on hold all its future projects featuring Pakistani artists. “This is the beginning of the concert season in India, and many Pakistani artists travel here at this time of the year to perform. But after the Uri attacks, the scenario has changed. Performances of many eminent Pakistani artists has been postponed or called-off.”

But it’s not the end. Events like Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, a lifestyle fiesta featuring talents from Pakistan (to be held from January 5-7, 2017); KNMA’s ongoing Enactments and Each Passing Day, an exhibition dedicated only to video works featuring fifteen contemporary artists (including a few from Pakistan) and on going exhibition titled ‘Revisiting Beauty’ at Gallery Threshold are here to stay.

Noted Pakistani designer and curator of lifestyle fiesta ‘Kya Dilli Kya Lahore’, Huma Nassr says, “It’s the third season of ‘Kya Dilli Kya Lahore’ that we are heading to from 5-7 January in New Delhi. I am glad that with this initiative we are experiencing a great cultural exchange between the two countries and are helping each other in improving the relationships by showcasing craft, talent and ideas at a common platform. We further aim to promote cordial ties between both countries in order to open gateways for trade in future. I strongly believe that cultural dialogue should continue between the two states, no matter how much we disagree with each other. These are issues on which we have been debating since independence and trust me the young generation is least bothered. I have been coming to India so often, and it’s like a second home to me, I have never felt like a stranger in this country. It’s only because a common Indian wants peace and cordial relations just like the thought process of a Pakistani citizen. I would like to end with a couplet from a famous Indian urdu shayar Jigar Moradabadi —  Unka jo kaam hai who ahl-e-siyasat jane, mera paigham mohabbat hai jahn tak pahunche.”

Lastly, Tunty Chauhan curator of the show ‘Revisiting Beauty’ quips, “Both the countries have a strong history of miniature art and we wanted to showcase the same. The language of art and culture is beyond boundaries. It is a universal language and I believe we should not divide it due any changes in the political scene.”