New Delhi: Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali has urged the people and the governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that art and culture don’t suffer due to politics.
“People should keep art and culture away from politics. One should own and do only such things that can do good for the relations of the two countries,” Ali, 75, said in an interview.
His comments came just days after an event where he was scheduled to unveil the music of Indian film Ghar Wapsi was cancelled after protesters from a little-known Hindu group raised slogans against the celebrated singer.
Slamming the protesters, he said one should always try to maintain good relations with neighbours. “Neighbours are the closest relatives,” he said.
The legendary ghazal singer’s concerts in India have been cancelled on more than one occasion in recent months because of protests by some caste groups and political parties, including the Shiv Sena in Mumbai.
Ali, who marked his entry into Indian cinema with the soulful number Chupke chupke raat din in B.R. Chopra’s Nikaah, said his fans are disappointed over repeated cancellations of his shows and concerts.
“There are others [the fans] who are more disappointed as they could not get to hear my songs,” an emotional Ali said, adding that “music has no boundaries”.
“I don’t feel good about it, and I hope it gets well soon… My fans love me a lot, and this is the reason why I choose to come again and again.”
Ali also urged people to refrain from unnecessary debates and sloganeering. “If at all you want to speak about each other [India and Pakistan], speak good so that both the parties can benefit. Speaking things that hurt the people of both the countries is not good at all,” he said.
Following the cancellation of his concerts in Mumbai, Ali had said he would never return to India — only to make a number of visits to the country since.
Ali is making his acting debut in Ghar Wapsi, directed by Suhaib Ilyasi. The film tells the story of a family unable to cope with the cultural dichotomy they encounter upon their homecoming.
Asked whether he would consider acting in more films, he said: “See, I am not an actor. My work is to sing. It’s just because Ilyasiji said, I agreed to face the camera. I do not have any such plan. [I] Will not act in any more movies.”
He, however, described his maiden attempt at acting as a good experience overall. “It was not challenging at all,” he added.
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