A lyrical glasnost for Pak singers

AMRITSAR: It was a lyrical glasnost (free speech) for Pakistani singers as they expressed their feelings in mellifluous rendition, without fear of being targeted by mullahs or the Taliban as in Pakistan.
A group of Pakistani singers Abad Ali Abad, Asif Ali Khan and Gulam Sabar Mehndi led by Munir Hussain Shakar had arrived here to perform Punjabi folk songs of undivided India at Khalsa College.They enthralled the audience with musical amalgamation of folk songs, qawalis, sufiana kalam and traditional kissa gayan.
Talking to TOI Shakar said that singers were being targeted by the Taliban in Pakistan and they didn't feel free to express their feelings candidly.
"But it is not easy to obtain an Indian visa and perform here," he said while giving several examples where artists had to face several hindrances just for getting an Indian visa.
"We are happy to be in India and perform in a fearless environment", said Abad Ali. He suggested that for strengthening India-Pakistan ties and people to people contact both nations should review their visa policies. "Unless the common man is allowed to travel across the border and meet people, there would always be suspicion. Let people talk to each other without any restriction and then see the fruits of friendship grow," he said.
Gurnam Singh, an ardent fan of Punjabi folk singing said Sham Charasi Gharana was one of the most popular style of singing in Pakistan and India both. "It reminds me of old times and cultural ties we share with a country which is barely a few km away from here," Gurnam said.
Enthralled with the encouragement given by the audience, Asif said such programmes could become a regular feature only if the visa regime was softened. "People clap on this singing in Pakistan and so do they here. We share a wonderful heritage which should not be allowed to become a victim of terrorism," he said.